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Terrestrial Animal Health Standards Commission
The Terrestrial Animal Health Standards Commission (the Code Commission), which was created in 1960, is responsible for ensuring that the Terrestrial Animal Health Code (the Terrestrial Code ) reflects current scientific information. The Terrestrial Code contains trade standards for terrestrial animals and their products.
The Terrestrial Animal Health Standards Commission (the Code Commission), created in 1960, is responsible for overseeing developments of the Terrestrial Animal Health Code (the Terrestrial Code) and ensuring it reflects the latest current scientific development.
The Code Commission comprises six members who are elected by the World Assembly of Delegates for a three-year term. The members are internationally recognised experts with a broad understanding of the major diseases of animals addressed by the Terrestrial Code and international trade in animals and animal products. The Code Commission collaborates closely with the other Specialist Commissions for scientific expertise as well as to ensure harmonised approaches, as appropriate.
The Internal rules, Terms of reference of the Code Commissions and Qualifications of its members can be found in the Basic Texts below (pp. 5-6).
Terms of reference, Internal rules, Qualifications of the members
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Key texts, Basic texts
Specialist Commissions
.pdf – 148 KB See the document
Contact us
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Étienne Bonbon
President, Terrestrial Code Commission
FRANCE
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Dr. Gaston Maria Funes
Vice-President, Terrestrial Code Commission; Counsellor for Agricultural Affairs
ARGENTINA
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Prof. Salah Hammami
University Professor of Microbiology (virology) Immunology
TUNISIA
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Bernardo Todeschini
Agricultural Attaché
BRAZIL
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Kiyokazu Murai
Animal Health Division
JAPAN
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Lucio Ignacio Carbajo Goñi
Agricultural Attache
SPAIN
Work programme
| Chapter | Issues | Summary of the work | Status – February 2024 | Priority order * | |
| Stage of consideration | Remarks (Month when draft text first circulated for comment /# of rounds for comment) or last TAHSC report reference | ||||
| General | Wildlife Health | Overarching consideration on how wildlife animal health is addressed in the Terrestrial Code | Preliminary discussions | Noted in Feb 2024 TAHSC report | 2 |
| New chapter on emergency management | Develop a new chapter and potentially modify the existing chapters | Expert consultation | Noted in Feb 2024 TAHSC report | 3 | |
| Commodities | Consideration to determine whether several types of highly processed products (such as blood meal, dried plasma, rendered fats, and hydrolysed protein) have a globally standardised production process and meet criteria to be considered safe commodities as regards specific diseases. | Preparatory work | Noted in Feb 2024 TAHSC report | 2 | |
| Pet-food commodities | Consider the inclusion of ‘extruded dry pet food’ and ‘heat-treated meat products in a hermetically sealed container with an F0 value of 3 or above’ in the list of safe commodities of chapters (when revised). | Preparatory work | Refer to Sep 2022 TASHC report | 2 | |
| In Chapter 15.1. Infection with African swine fever virus | Proposed for adoption in May 2024 | Noted in Feb 2024 TASHC report (Sep 2023/1) | 1 | ||
| Use of terms | Use of terms: animal health status | Consider the need to revise definition to incorporate ‘herd’, and avoid restrictive wording Possible revision of the Glossary definitionReview use of the terms across the Code for consistency | Preparatory work | Refer to Feb 2020 TAHSC report | 1 |
| Use of terms: animal-based measures / measurables | Review use of the terms across the Code for consistency Develop a policy for their use | Circulated for comments (proposed for adoption in May 2024) | Noted in Feb 2024 TAHSC report | 2 | |
| Use of terms: notify / notifiable disease / report / reportable disease | Review use of the terms across the Code for consistency. Develop a policy for their use | Preparatory work | Refer to Feb 2019 TAHSC report | 2 | |
| Use of terms: Competent Authority / Veterinary Authority / Veterinary Services | Review use of the terms across the Code for consistency | Proposed for adoption in May 2024 | Noted in Feb 2024 TAHSC report (Feb 2023/2) | 1 | |
| User’s guide | Revision of the Users’ guide (standing item) | Partial revision to provide more explanation on disease-specific chaptersto develop a new point on terms referring to animals used in the Terrestrial Codework on introduction | Circulated for comments and work in parallel | Noted in Feb 2024 TAHSC report (Sep 2023/2) | 1 |
| Glossary | ‘Death’, ‘euthanasia’, ‘slaughter’ and ‘stunning’ | In-depth revision in relation to work on Chs 7.5.-7.6. | Proposed for adoption in May 2024 | Noted in Feb 2024 TAHSC report (Sep 2019/4) | 1 |
| ‘Artificial insemination centre’ | Change the term to ‘semen collection centre’ | Proposed for adoption in May 2024 | Noted in Feb 2024 TAHSC report (Sep 2023/1) | 1 | |
| New definitions for ‘animal products’, ‘product of animal origin’ and ‘animal by-product’ | Review use of the terms across the Code for consistency. Develop a policy for their use and draft definitions. | Proposed for adoption in May 2024 | Noted in Feb 2024 TAHSC report (Feb 2023/2) | 1 | |
| New definition for ‘biological products’ | Develop a new definition | Proposed for adoption in May 2024 | Noted in Feb 2024 TAHSC report (Sep 2023/1) | 1 | |
| New definition for ‘swill’ | Review use of the term across the Code. Develop a policy for its use and consider developing a definition. (connected to biosecurity work) | Expert consultation | Noted in Feb 2024 TAHSC report (Sep 2023/1) | 1 | |
| Definitions for ‘biosecurity’ and ‘biosecurity plan’ | Review as a part of the work on new Chapter on Biosecurity | Expert consultation | Noted in Feb 2024 TAHSC report (Sep 2023/1) | 1 | |
| New definition for ‘point of exit’ and definitions for ‘border post’ and ‘quarantine station’ | Review as a part of the work to revise Chs 5.4. to 5.7. | Expert consultation | Noted in Feb 2024 TAHSC report (Sep 2023/1) | 1 | |
| New definition for ‘veterinary medical use’ | Move the definition from Ch 6.9. | Pending adoption of Ch 6.10. | Noted in Sep 2023 TAHSC report | 3 | |
| Definition of ‘poultry’ | (Not defined yet, related to revision of chapters in Section 10) | Not started | Noted in Feb 2024 TAHSC report | 2 | |
| Definition for ‘greaves’ | Deletion of the definition | Proposed for adoption in May 2024 | Noted in Feb 2024 TAHSC report (Sep 2023/1) | 1 | |
| Definition for ‘disinfection’ | Revision of definition | Expert consultation | Noted in Feb 2024 TAHSC report | 2 | |
| New definition for ‘pathogenic agent’ | Develop a new definition | Expert consultation | Noted in Feb 2024 TAHSC report | 2 | |
| Definition for ‘laboratory’ | Revision of definition | Expert consultation | Noted in Feb 2024 TAHSC report | 2 | |
| New definition for ‘isolation’ | Develop a new definition | Expert consultation | Noted in Feb 2024 TAHSC report | 2 | |
| New definition for ‘suspected case’ | Develop a new definition | Expert consultation | Noted in Feb 2024 TAHSC report | ||
| Section 1 | |||||
| 1.3. | Diseases, infections and infestations listed by WOAH | Revision to reorder the articles (animal categories), to clarify animal categories in each article, to reorder the diseases in each article, and to align some disease names with the corresponding disease-specific chapters | Proposed for adoption in May 2024 | Noted in Feb 2024 TAHSC report (Sep 2023/1) | 1 |
| 1.6. | Procedures for official recognition of animal health status, endorsement of an official control programme, and publication of a self-declaration of animal health status, by WOAH | Partial revision to improve clarity on the ability for Members to hold pathogenic agents within laboratories without affecting their animal health status | Expert consultation | Noted in Feb 2024 TAHSC report (Feb 2023/1) | 2 |
| 1.11. | Application for official recognition by WOAH of free status for foot and mouth disease | Partial revision to align with the revised Ch 8.8. | Proposed for adoption in May 2024 | Noted in Feb 2024 TAHSC report (Sep 2023/1) | 1 |
| Section 4 | |||||
| 4.4. | Zoning and compartmentalisation | To address necessary points, as relevant, with the development of new Ch 4.4. | Preparatory work | Noted in February 2024 TAHSC report | 1 |
| 4.Y | New Chapter on implementation of zoning. | Develop a full new chapter. Taskforce by SCAD and TAHSC to work on this issue | Preparatory work | Noted in February 2024 TAHSC report | |
| 4.6. | Collection and processing of semen of animals | Comprehensive revision of chapter | Proposed for adoption in May 2024 | Noted in Feb 2024 TAHSC report (Sep 2022/3) | 1 |
| 4.7. | Collection and processing of bovine, small ruminant and porcine semen | Comprehensive revision of chapter | Preparatory work | Refer to Feb 2024 TAHSC report Pending progress of the work on Ch 4.6. | 1 |
| 4.8. | Collection and processing of in vivo derived embryos from livestock and equids | Consider potential amendments as a consequence of the changes in the IETS Manual | Preparatory work | Pending progress of data collection | 2 |
| 4.9. | Collection and processing of oocytes and in vitro produced embryos from livestock and horses | Consider potential amendments as a consequence of the changes in the IETS Manual | Preparatory work | Pending progress of data collection | 2 |
| 4.13. | Disposal of dead animals | Consider including all potentially contaminated wastes/products/fomites | Preparatory work | Refer to Feb 2022 TAHSC report | 2 |
| 4.14. | General recommendations on disinfection and disinsection | Comprehensive revision of chapter Consider question from AHG on biosecurity | Preparatory work | Refer to Feb 2022 TAHSC report | 2 |
| 4.X. | New chapter on biosecurity | Develop a new chapter | Expert consultation | Noted in Feb 2024 TAHSC report (Sep 2023/1) | 1 |
| Section 5 | |||||
| General | Revision of Section 5 Trade measures, import/export procedures and veterinary certification (especially Chs 5.4. to 5.7.) | Comprehensive revision of Chs 5.4., 5.5., 5.6. and 5.7. | Expert consultation ( | Noted in Feb 2024 TAHSC report (Sep 2023/1 – for Chs 5.4. and 5.6.) | 1 |
| 5.2., 5.10. | Certification procedures | Partial revision to review provisions on electronic certification and check model of certificate | Expert consultation | Refer to Sep 2022 TAHSC report | 2 |
| 5.8. | International transfer and laboratory containment of animal pathogenic agents | Consider impact of holding PA in labs (and research facilities)Align with corresponding Manual chapter (categories of PA)Link with work with Nagoya protocol? | Expert consultation (depending Ch 1.6., etc.) | Noted in Sep 2023 TAHSC report | 4 |
| 5.12. | Model passport for international movement of competition horses | Update the relevant chapters on equine diseases to take into account proposals made by the AHG on HHP Horses Veterinary Certificates | Preparatory work | Noted in Sep 2023 TAHSC report | 2 |
| Section 6 | |||||
| 6.2. | The role of the Veterinary Services in food safety systems | Review the chapter based on the revised Glossary definitions for ‘CA’, ‘VA’ and ‘VS’ | Preparatory work | Refer to Sep 2022 TAHSC report | 4 |
| 6.3. | Control of biological hazards of animal health and public health importance through ante- and post-mortem meat inspection | Revision to avoid duplication with Ch 6.2., to simplify and to refer to relevant Codex GLs more | Not started | – | 4 |
| 6.10. | Responsible and prudent use of antimicrobial agents in veterinary medicine | Comprehensive revision of chapter | Proposed for adoption in May 2024 | Noted in Feb 2024 TAHSC report (Sep 2022/2) | 1 |
| 6.12. | Zoonoses transmissible from non-human primates | Consider possible inclusion of SARS-CoV-2 in this chapter, possible inclusion of Macacine Herpesvirus 1 and the revision of test schedule and animal species to be tested for tuberculosis (Origin Member requests) | Not started | Refer to Feb 2022 TAHSC report | 4 |
| Section 7 | |||||
| 7.1. | Introduction to the recommendations for animal welfare | Partial revision to include ‘five domains’ conceptto clarify the meaning of the terms ‘animal-based’, ‘resource-based’ and ‘management-based’ measures etc. | Circulated for comments | Noted in Feb 2024 TAHSC report (Sep 2023/2) | 1 |
| 7.2., 7.3., 7.4. | Transport of animals by land, sea and air | Comprehensive revision of chapters | Expert consultation | Noted in Feb 2024 TAHSC report | 1 |
| 7.5. | Slaughter of animals | Comprehensive revision of chapter | Proposed for adoption in May 2024 | Noted in Feb 2024 TAHSC report (Feb 2021/3) | 1 |
| 7.6. | Killing of animals for disease control purposes | – Partial revision – Comprehensive revision of chapter | – Partial revision: circulated for comments – Comprehensive revision: Expert consultation | Refer to Sep 2022 TAHSC report | 2 |
| Section 8 | |||||
| 8.7. | Infection with epizootic hemorrhagic disease virus | Comprehensive revision of chapter | Not started | Noted in Feb 2024 TAHSC report | 3 |
| 8.8. | Infection with foot and mouth disease virus | Comprehensive revision of chapter (including harmonisation of chapters with official status recognition) | Proposed for adoption in May 2024 | Noted in Feb 2024 TAHSC report (Sep 2015/6) | 1 |
| 8.10. | Japanese encephalitis | Comprehensive revision of chapter (related to works on Chs 8.21., 12.4. and 12.11.) | Expert consultation | Noted in Feb 2024 TAHSC report | 2 |
| 8.11. | Infection with Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex | Partial revision to add recommendations for camelids and goatsto clarify point 1(b) of Article 8.11.4. | Not started | Refer to Feb 2022 TAHSC report | 3 |
| 8.13. | New world screwworm and old world screwworm | Partial revision (case definition) | Expert consultation | Noted in Feb 2024 TAHSC report | 3 |
| 8.14. | Paratuberculosis | Consider amendments to ensure alignment with recently revised Manual chapter | Expert consultation | Refer to Sep 2020 TAHSC report | 3 |
| 8.15. | Infection with rabies virus | Partial revision to add recommendations on wildlife-mediated rabies | Preparatory work | Refer to Sep 2022 TAHSC report | 3 |
| 8.16. | Infection with Rift Valley fever virus | Partial revision of recommendations for importation of semen and embryos (follow-up of update of corresponding Manual chapter adopted in 2023) | Proposed for adoption in May 2024 | Noted in Feb 2024 TAHSC report (Sep 2023/1) | 1 |
| 8.17. | Infection with Trichinella spp. | Partial revision of general provisions (follow-up of update of corresponding Manual chapter adopted in 2023) | Proposed for adoption in May 2024 | Noted in Feb 2024 TAHSC report (Sep 2023/1) | 1 |
| 8.21. | West Nile fever | Comprehensive revision of chapter (related to works on Chs 8.10., 12.4. and 12.11.) | Expert consultation | Noted in Feb 2024 TAHSC report | 2 |
| 8.X. | New Chapter on Infection with Coxiella burnetii (Q fever) | Develop a new chapter | Proposed for adoption in May 2024 | Noted in Feb 2024 TAHSC report (Sep 2022/3) | 1 |
| 8.Y. | New Chapter on Infection with Nipah virus | Develop a new chapter | Circulated for comments | Noted in Feb 2024 TAHSC report (Sep 2023/2) | 2 |
| 8.Z. | New Chapter on Surra | Develop a new chapter | Proposed for adoption in May 2024 | Noted in Feb 2024 TAHSC report (Feb 2023/2) | 1 |
| Section 10 | |||||
| General | Overall consideration of Section 10 Aves | Consider approach to risk management recommendations for different production sectors, species, commodities, structure of chapter (following latest adopted HAPI) across different diseases. | Preparatory work | Noted in Sep 2023 TAHSC report | 3 |
| 10.2. | Avian infectious bronchitis | Review trade articles for clarity. | Preparatory work | Noted in Sep 2023 TAHSC report | 3 |
| 10.3. | Avian infectious laryngotracheitis | Consider amendments to ensure alignment with recently revised Manual chapter | Not started | Noted in Sep 2023 TAHSC report | 3 |
| 10.5. | Infection with Mycoplasma gallisepticum (Avian mycoplasmosis) | Full update of the chapter (content and structure) based on the recent update of the Manual Chapter. Consider inclusion of M. synoviae into a single chapter (and listed disease). | Preparatory work | Noted in Sep 2023 TAHSC report | 3 |
| 10.9. | Infection with Newcastle disease virus | Revision to align with recent revision of Ch 10.4. | Not started | Noted in Sep 2023 TAHSC report | 3 |
| 10.X. | Infection with avian metapneumovirus | Develop a new chapter | Expert consultation (SCAD) | Noted in Sep 2023 TAHSC report | 3 |
| Section 11 | |||||
| 11.5. | Infection with Mycoplasma mycoides subsp. mycoides SC (Contagious bovine pleuropneumonia) | Harmonisation of chapters with official status recognition | Expert consultation | Noted in Feb 2024 TAHSC report (Sep 2022/3) | 1 |
| 11.11. | Trichomonosis | Comprehensive revision of chapter | Not started | Refer to Feb 2022 TAHSC report (Sep 2020/2) | 3 |
| 11.X. | New Chapter on Infection with bovine pestivirus (bovine viral diarrhoea) | Develop a new chapter | Circulated for comments | Noted in Feb 2024 TAHSC report (Sep 2022/4) | 1 |
| Section 12 | |||||
| 12.1. | African horse sickness | Harmonisation of chapters with official status recognition Proposals from AHG on AHS and SCAD | Expert consultation | Noted in Feb 2024 TAHSC report (Sep 2022/3) | 1 |
| 12.3. | Dourine | Comprehensive revision of chapter | Circulated for comments | Refer to Feb 2024 TAHSC report (Feb 2024/1) | 2 |
| 12.4. | Equine encephalomyelitis (Eastern and Western) | Comprehensive revision of chapter (related to works on Chs 8.10., 8.21. and 12.11.) | Expert consultation | Noted in Feb 2024 TAHSC report | 3 |
| 12.11. | Venezuelan equine encephalomyelitis | Comprehensive revision of chapter (related to works on Chs 8.10., 8.21. and 12.4.) | Expert consultation | Noted in Feb 2024 TAHSC report | 3 |
| Section 13 | |||||
| 13.2. | Rabbit haemorrhagic disease | Partial revision to add a case definition (with editorial changes) | Proposed for adoption in May 2024 | Noted in Feb 2024 TAHSC report (Feb 2023/2) | 1 |
| Comprehensive revision of chapter | Preparatory work | Noted in Sep 2023 TAHSC report | 3 | ||
| Section 14 | |||||
| 14.7. | Infection with peste des petits ruminants virus | Reconsider susceptible animals targeted in the chapter and some articles inconsistence | Preparatory work | Noted in Sep 2023 TAHSC report | 3 |
| 14.8. | Scrapie | Comprehensive revision of chapter | Expert consultation | Noted in Feb 2024 TAHSC report | 2 |
| 14.9. | Sheep pox and goat pox | Comprehensive revision of chapter | Expert consultation | Noted in Sep 2023 TAHSC report | 3 |
| Section 15 | |||||
| 15.3. | Infection with porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (Article 15.3.9.) | Partial revision to address a concern that the testing regime in relation to semen collection centres is not sufficient to prevent the introduction of the virus through semen from countries that are not free from PRRS (to be reconsidered after revision of Ch 4.7.) | Not started | Refer to Feb 2018 TAHSC report | 4 |
| Section 16 | |||||
| 16.Z. | New Chapter on Camelpox | Develop a new chapter | Proposed for adoption in May 2024 | Noted in Feb 2024 TAHSC report (Sep 2022/3) | 1 |
| Others | |||||
| X.X. | New Chapter on Crimean Congo haemorrhagic fever | Develop a new chapter | Pending adoption of corresponding chapter of Terrestrial Manual | Noted in Feb 2024 TAHSC report | 2 |
| * Description of the consequence of priority order | |
| 1 | active work for the TAHSCto be put forward for next meeting agenda |
| 2 | active work for the TAHSCto be included in next meeting agenda if time allows, depending on other progress |
| 3 | not immediate work for the TAHSCneeds to progress before consideration for next meeting agenda |
| 4 | not activenot to be immediately started |
| List of abbreviations | |
| AHG | Ad hoc Group |
| BSC | Biological Standards Commission |
| Ch | Chapter |
| HQ | WOAH Headquarters |
| IETS | International Embryo Technology Society |
| SCAD | Scientific Commission for Animal Diseases |
| TAHSC | Terrestrial Animal Health Standard Commission |