Transparency and trust improve acceptance of zones by trade partners

Transparency, trust in the certification system, and epidemiological stability are essential for encouraging countries to recognise zones from a trade partner, according to a new study from the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH). The Observatory, the transversal programme by WOAH that evaluates the global implementation of international animal health and welfare standards, has released the second part of its inaugural thematic study on zoning and compartmentalisation. Focusing specifically on zoning, this publication enriches the existing body of knowledge on the matter with new evidence and statistical insights. 

What is zoning?

Zoning is the practice that allows veterinary authorities to manage subpopulations of animals with a specific health status, keeping them separate from other animal groups within a country. This separation, primarily done on geographical basis, allows countries to prevent and control diseases while ensuring trade continuity for healthy animals and animal products. 

While WOAH offers guidance on zoning through its terrestrial and aquatic codes, the effective implementation of zoning standards remains challenging for many countries and territories. Consequently, the Observatory conducted its first-ever thematic study, titled Use, Challenges, and Impact of Zoning and Compartmentalisation. The first part, published in 2024, offered valuable insights on the level of use of zoning standards with a focus on avian influenza, African swine fever, and foot and mouth disease. 

Building on these findings, the second part of the study goes beyond Members’ perceptions by incorporating data from the same survey as well as from WOAH’s internal and external datasets. This analysis examines the statistical relationships between several factors and the acceptance of zones by trade partners, providing perspectives from both importers and exporters. 

Findings of the study 

The study identified 36 factors that influence the acceptance of zones by trading partners. In the first part of the study, WOAH Members – which could be both importers and exporters of animals or animal products – were asked to rank 16 factors based on their importance. In the second part, researchers assessed those factors as well as other relevant ones for statistical significance with zone acceptance. Beyond the list of factors, some trends emerge as particularly relevant.  

All summed up, transparency was recognised as the most important factor by both importers and exporters, closely followed by trust in the certification system of animals and animal products and the implementation of WOAH standards for zoning and compartmentalisation. The significance of these concepts – better described in the Terrestrial Animal Health Code developed by WOAH – was further validated through statistical analysis. For the purposes of the study, examples of transparency included countries and territories reporting animal events through the World Animal Health Information System (WAHIS), having an official disease status recognition by WOAH, self-declaring zone status on WOAH platforms, or being able to provide a recent report on the performance of Veterinary Services. 

Statistical evidence aside, two other factors stand out as particularly significant in the perceptions of importers and exporters. While exporters place greater emphasis than importers on the existence of bilateral procedures, both parties agree on the importance of a stable epidemiological situation for accepting zones implemented by trade counterparts. 

Developing international standards for animal health and welfare, based on the latest scientific information, is central to WOAH’s mandate. The thematic study developed by WOAH, along with others that will follow focusing on various topics related to these standards, will enhance their implementation by providing evidence and guidance to decision-makers and animal health professionals. 

Read the full study