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Ad hoc groups
An ad hoc Group is convened at the initiative of the Director General to provide expert advice on a topic as defined by the Terms of Reference. The ad hoc Group reports are considered by the relevant Specialist Commission or Director General. An ad hoc Group usually comprises six internationally recognised experts and take into consideration geographical representation and gender balance.
Nomination of experts
Delegates may nominate experts for specific ad hoc Groups, in particular for those that are in the planning phase not yet formally established. Delegates are also invited to consult the Commission’s work plan to identify potential upcoming area of work. Delegates may send the name(s) of the expert(s) via email to [email protected]. However, experts must submit their relevant information by filling out this form. This information will be considered but does not guarantee that the expert will be selected. It will assist WOAH in establishing a database of internationally recognised experts.
Ad hoc Group reports
Ad hoc Group reports published since 2016 can be accessed from the menu on the top of this page. To access reports prior to July 2016, please refer to reports of the relevant WOAH Specialist Commission available here.
Ad hoc Group meeting schedule
The schedule for upcoming ad hoc Group meetings is presented below.
| Ad hoc Groups | Status | ToR | Year 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Revamping of the Register of Diagnostic Kits | E | Yes | 26 January 2026 |
| Prioritisation of diseases for which vaccines could reduce global antimicrobial use in animals | E | Yes | 18-20 Feb 2026 |
| Harmonisation of national antimicrobial resistance surveillance and monitoring programmes (Revision of Terrestrial Code Chapter 6.8) | E | Yes | 21-22 April 2026 |
| Susceptibility of amphibians species to WOAH listed diseases | P | ||
| General recommendations on disinfection and disinsection (Revision of Terrestrial Code Chapter 4.14.) | P | ||
| Equine encephalitides | E | Yes | June |
| Recommendations for national incident management systems | E | 2nd half of the year | |
| Status evaluation on FMD | E | Yes | 6-9 Oct 2025 |
| Status evaluation on Rabies | E | Yes | 28-30 Oct 2025 |
| Status evaluation on BSE | E | Yes | 18 and 20 Nov 2025 |
| Status evaluation on AHS | E | Yes | 21 and 23 Oct 2025 |
| Status evaluation on CBPP | E | Yes | Cancelled |
| Status evaluation on PPR | E | Yes | 3-6 Nov 2025 |
| Status evaluation on CSF | E | Yes | 25-27 Nov 2025 |
| Animal welfare at the time of killing for purposes other than slaughter (Revision of Terrestrial Code Chapter 7.6. ) | E | Yes | Oct/Nov |
| Animal Welfare during transport of animals by sea and by land (Revision of Terrestrial Code Chapters 7.2., 7.3. and 7.4) | E | Yes | Oct/Nov |
| Infection with peste des petits ruminants virus (Revision of Terrestrial Code Chapter 14.7. ) | P |
Terms of Reference and Internal rules for Working Groups and ad hoc Groups
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Key texts, Basic texts
Working Groups and Ad Hoc Groups
.pdf – 144 KB See the document
Reports from ad hoc Groups on Terrestrial Animals
Disease specific
African swine fever
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Reports
Animal trypanosomes
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Reports
Equine encephalitides
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Reports
Japanese encephalitis
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Reports
Foot and Mouth disease
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Reports
Peste des petits ruminants
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Reports
Rabies
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Reports
Rift Valley Fever
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Reports
Rinderpest
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Reports
Scrapie
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Reports
Sheep Pox and Goat Pox
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Reports
Theileriosis
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Reports
Venezuelan Equine Encephalomyelitis
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Reports
Other terrestrial animal related subjects
Surveillance
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Reports
Veterinary legislation
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Reports
Veterinary Services
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Reports
Vaccination
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Reports
Trade measures and procedures
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Reports
Biosecurity
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Reports
Risk management practices at domestic-wild animal interface
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Reports
Zoning
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Reports
Reports from ad hoc Groups on Aquatic Animals
Disease specific
Susceptibility of crustaceans species
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Reports
Susceptibility of fish species
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Reports
Susceptibility of mollusc species
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Reports
Other aquatic animal related subjects
Safe commodity assessments for listed diseases
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Reports
Report of ad hoc Groups on animal welfare
Reports from ad hoc Groups on Antimicrobial resistance
Prudent use of antimicrobials (Code Chapter 6.10)
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Reports
Technical references for Cats and Dogs
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Reports
Technical References for Bovine
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Reports
Evaluation for official status and endorsement of control programmes
Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy
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Reports
Reports from ad hoc Groups on other subjects
Transport biological material
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Reports
Next-Generation Wildlife Health Information System
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Reports
Veterinary paraprofessionals
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Reports