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Agreement with the Organismo Internacional Regional de Sanidad Agropecuaria (OIRSA)
AGREEMENT BETWEEN
THE ORGANISMO INTERNACIONAL REGIONAL DE SANIDAD AGROPECUARIA (OIRSA)
AND
THE WORLD ORGANISATION FOR ANIMAL HEALTH (OIE)
Adopted by OIRSA and by the OIE on 21 May 2005
The World Organisation for Animal Health with its registered office at 12, rue de Prony, 75017 Paris, France, duly represented by its Director General, Dr. Bernard Vallat, hereinafter referred to as "the OIE",
of the first part,
and
The Organismo Internacional Regional de Sanidad Agropecuaria (Regional International Organization for Plant Protection and Animal Health), with its registered office in Calle Ramón Belloso, final pasaje Isolde, Colonia Escalón, San Salvador, El Salvador, C.A. Apartado Postal (01)61, duly represented by its Executive Director, Oscar Manuel Gutierrez R. (Lic.), hereinafter referred to as "OIRSA”,
of the other part,
Whereas the development of animal production relies on protection against animal diseases and zoonoses, as well as on strengthening the disease information system;
Whereas the development of trade in animals and animal products calls for the creation of an appropriate legislative and regulatory environment, by drawing up regulations acceptable to all stakeholders;
Whereas the effort of the Veterinary Services is a key factor for the application of health measures and for safeguarding public health;
Whereas one of the OIE’s main objectives is to collect and disseminate information on the world-wide occurrence of animal diseases, and on disease control methods;
Whereas one of the OIE’s main objectives is to facilitate international trade in animals and animal products by drawing up international health regulations;
Whereas the OIE has a new mandate for food safety and animal welfare;
Whereas the OIE has the objective of cooperating in the activities of the Regional Commission and the OIE Regional Representation for the Americas ;
Whereas OIRSA is an institution specialising in the areas of animal health, plant health and quarantine services whose objective is to develop and coordinate programmes for the prevention, control and eradication of diseases and pests in its member countries: Belize , Costa Rica , Dominican Republic , El Salvador , Guatemala , Honduras , Mexico , Nicaragua and Panama.
Whereas another OIRSA objective is to promote the growth of the agricultural and livestock sector in its member countries, for which it is authorised to enter into cooperation agreements with various international institutions and organisations;
Aware of the need to extend the current Cooperation Agreement,
Have agreed as follows:
Article 1
The Parties agree to sign the current Agreement in order to contribute more effectively to fulfilling their mutual interests and objectives by means of technical cooperation.
Article 2
The OIE and OIRSA shall cooperate in the following fields, although this list does not preclude further activities that help to achieve their objectives:
Harmonisation of legislation and regulations on animal diseases and zoonoses;
Technical cooperation in the field of animal health and zoonoses;
Exchange of scientific information, dissemination of publications and work programmes;
Strengthening the region’s epidemiological surveillance systems;
Dissemination of the OIE health information system on the occurrence of animal diseases and zoonoses;
Organisation of meetings, seminars, courses and training days for both Official Veterinary Services and the private sector;
Organisation of meetings and seminars on updating and amending OIE standards;
Disseminating and promoting the development of proposals and analyses and updating OIE rules and guidelines;
Disseminating and promoting the application of the OIE Terrestrial and Aquatic Animal Health Codes and Manuals;
Strengthening the Veterinary Services, taking into account OIE rules for Veterinary Service evaluation and quality, by supporting the organisation of short courses, self-assessment, tools for public and private investors and training in university veterinary and agrifood institutions.
Article 3
Within the framework of its assistance activities, the OIE, as the world reference body, shall provide OIRSA with available international expertise.
Article 4
OIRSA undertakes to support the OIE by making available resources and officials for any tasks that are undertaken, as far as its technical and economic means allow, and to appoint a contact person responsible for technical relations with the OIE Representation for the Americas . A biannual work plan shall be drawn up in which both Organisations shall set out their undertakings.
Article 5
The Parties shall inform one another about the development and progress of activities of mutual interest and shall regularly exchange information and documents on the said activities which are not subject to confidentiality restrictions.
Article 6
The Parties shall invite one another’s representatives to participate in open meetings to which observers are admitted, in accordance with the Organisations’ normal practices and when matters of mutual interest are to be considered.
Article 7
The OIE shall provide OIRSA with its publications catalogue, to enable OIRSA to order and distribute publications at preferential rates. The OIE and OIRSA shall exchange documents of mutual interest free of charge.
Article 8
The Parties agree to hold periodic meetings on aspects relating to the performance of this Agreement and may, by mutual consent, propose new means for improving its efficiency. The channels of communication shall be established between the Directors of the two organisations and between the OIE Regional Representative and OIRSA’s Technical Director for Animal Health.
Article 9
This Agreement shall enter into force once signed by the Parties and shall be of indefinite duration. It may be amended by mutual consent and terminated by either of the Parties subject to six months’ notice in writing.
Article 10
This Agreement replaces the Agreement adopted between OIRSA and the OIE on 21 May 1999.
For the Regional International Organisation | For the World Organisation for Animal Health |
Oscar Manuel Gutiérrez R. (Lic.) | Bernard Vallat |