Lecture 2, One Health; WTO SPS measures Flashcards

1
Q

Throughout history, the connection between humans and animals has been recognized, as exemplified by references to rabies in ancient texts like

A

Homer’s Iliad.

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2
Q

Name the 19th-century German physician, that played a pivotal role in modern pathology and advocated for linking human and animal medicine.

A

Rudolf Virchow

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3
Q

Who founded the Veterinary Public Health Division in the late 1940s, recognizing the importance of animals in the epidemiology of zoonotic diseases like rabies.

A

James Steele founded the Veterinary Public Health Division in the late 1940s, recognizing the importance of animals in the epidemiology of zoonotic diseases like rabies.

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4
Q

Who coined the term “one medicine” in the 1970s, emphasizing the close systemic interaction of humans and animals for nutrition, livelihood, and health.

A

Calvin Schwabe coined the term “one medicine” in the 1970s, emphasizing the close systemic interaction of humans and animals for nutrition, livelihood, and health.

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5
Q

In what year was the Manhattan Principles laid down as the foundation for the One World, One Health concept, urging a holistic approach to preventing and combating epidemic/epizootic diseases while maintaining ecosystem integrity.

A

In 2004

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6
Q

The One Health concept aims to

A

integrate human, animal, and environmental health for disease prediction and control at the human-animal-ecosystem interface.

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7
Q

The definition of One Health includes the concept of

A

“transdisciplinarity,” where professionals from different disciplines work jointly to address common problems and create new innovations.

It aims to provide new methods and tools for research and policy formulation, contributing to the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals.

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8
Q

Transdisciplinarity is a

A

principle of research and science that goes beyond the boundaries of subjects or disciplines.

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9
Q

Multidisciplinarity

A

draws on knowledge from different disciplines but stays within its boundaries.

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10
Q

Interdisciplinarity

A

analyzes, synthesizes and harmonizes links between disciplines into a coordinated and coherent whole.

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11
Q

Transdisciplinarity integrates

A

the natural, social and health sciences in a humanities context, and transcends their traditional boundaries.

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12
Q

The One Medicine, One Health concept emphasizes

A

close collaboration and communication across various disciplines to reduce the emergence and re-emergence of zoonotic diseases and other events at the human-environment-animal interface.

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13
Q

“dilution effect” in the context of zoonoses

A

in regions with high biodiversity a “dilution effect” may exist for some pathogens, whereby highly competent reservoirs represent a small proportion of the available reservoirs,
and transmission risk to people is reduced.

This theory has potential importance for conservation because it suggests that biodiversity loss due to anthropogenic
environmental changes may lead to higher zoonotic disease risk, and that conserving biodiversity may benefit public health by reducing this risk.

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14
Q

The European Green Deal aims to

A

make Europe the first climate-neutral continent by 2050, focusing on sustainable growth to improve health, the economy, and nature conservation, ensuring inclusive benefits.

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15
Q

The Farm to Fork Strategy (F2F) is central to the

A

Green Deal, aiming to create sustainable food systems linked to healthy people and a healthy planet.

It’s key for achieving the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals and ensuring a fair transition post-COVID-19, enhancing environmental, health, and social benefits, as well as economic recovery.

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16
Q

The EU’s Climate Law targets a climate-neutral union by

A

2050, with an interim plan to increase GHG emission reductions by 50-55% from 1990 levels by 2030.

The Farm to Fork Strategy is crucial for the agriculture, fisheries, and food sectors to meet these goals.

It also sets specific targets: 50% reduction in pesticide use and risk, 50% cut in nutrient losses, 20% reduction in fertilizer use, and 25% of EU agricultural land under organic farming.

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17
Q

Food insecurity stems from

A

economic disparities and inefficient use of resources, not lack of food production.

18
Q

Policy shifts towards sustainable food consumption, including

A

reducing meat intake and increasing plant-based foods, are essential for global food security.

19
Q

FCI

A

„Food Chain Information‟ (FCI) which accompanies animals from the farm of production to the slaughterhouse and which also ensures that any findings identified during the inspection procedures performed at the slaughterhouse are reported back to the farm and to the field veterinarian and thus can be addressed at the farm level.

20
Q

The European General Food Law has established the basic principle that those primarily responsible for ensuring compliance with food law, and the safety of food generally, is the

A

food and feed business operator (FBO) at every step of the food chain.

Traceability of feed
Animal Identification and registration
Animal Health and ‘Herd Health Plans’

21
Q

HACCP

A

Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points (HACCP) is a process used as part of an overall food safety management system.

It is a preventative approach to food safety control that can be applied throughout the food production chain to the point of sale to the consumer.

For each specified hazard, the point at which this hazard can be controlled, reduced or eliminated must be identified.

Next, a determination must be made to control each hazard within set limits, how plant personnel will monitor these limits, and what the operatives will do when deficiencies are subsequently identified.

HACCP plans are all very specific to the type of product and to the relevant production facility.

22
Q

offal

A

The entrails and internal organs of an animal used as food.

23
Q

The EU’s Farm to Fork (F2F) strategy calls for organic farming on

A

25% of agricultural land, aiming to halve nitrogen surplus and reduce import dependencies, thus improving food security and sustainability.

24
Q

The „farm to fork‟ approach to food safety is a

A

holistic concept embracing all elements which may have an impact on the safety of food at every step of the food chain - from the farm to the table of the consumer.

The phrase is used to encompass the production of all foods of animal origin, and also of non-animal origin, and can be applied not only to meat but also to milk, eggs, fish and other aquacultural products, as well as fruits and vegetables.

25
Q

WTO Agreement on Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures - what does WTO stand for?

A

World Trade Organization

26
Q

the “SPS Agreement”

A

The Agreement on the Application of Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures

27
Q

The Agreement on the Application of Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures (the “SPS Agreement”) entered into force with the establishment of the World Trade Organization on

A

1 January 1995.

28
Q

The Agreement on the Application of Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures concerns what

A

the application of food safety and animal and plant health regulations.

29
Q

Objective of SPS Agreement:

A

The SPS Agreement aims to balance ensuring food safety and protecting human, animal, and plant health while avoiding unjustified trade restrictions.

30
Q

What are sanitary and phytosanitary measures?

A

SPS measures aim to protect human, animal, or plant life from various risks such as contaminants, toxins, disease-causing organisms, and pests.

31
Q

Does the SPS Agreement cover countries’ measures to protect the environment?

A

These measures also extend to protecting the health of fish, wild fauna, forests, and wild flora.

However, the SPS Agreement does not cover measures related to environmental protection, consumer interests, or animal welfare. These are addressed by other WTO agreements

32
Q

the “TBT Agreement”

A

The WTO Agreement on Technical Barriers to Trade (the “TBT Agreement”) establishes rules and procedures regarding the development, adoption, and application of voluntary product standards, mandatory technical regulations, and the procedures (such as testing or certification) used to determine whether a particular product meets such standards or regulations.

TBT measures could cover any subject, from car safety to energy-saving devices, to the shape of food cartons.

33
Q

The aim of the TBT Agreement is to

A

prevent the use of technical requirements as unnecessary barriers to trade.

(Technical Barriers to Trade)

34
Q

How do you know if a measure is SPS or TBT?

A

SPS measures are defined by their purpose: protecting human or animal health from various risks, on the basis of scientific information.

TBT measures cover technical regulations, voluntary standards, and procedures but do not include SPS measures. The type of measure determines its classification.

35
Q

In terms of food, labelling requirements, nutrition claims and concerns, quality and packaging regulations are generally not considered to be

A

sanitary or phytosanitary measures (SPS) and hence are normally subject to the TBT Agreement.

36
Q

Does the SPS Agreement restrict a government’s ability to establish food safety and plant and animal health laws?

A

The SPS Agreement recognizes a government’s right to establish food safety, animal, and plant health laws.

These regulations must be based on science, necessary for health protection, and not discriminate unfairly among foreign sources of supply.

Neither the WTO nor any other international body determines food safety or health protection levels; governments retain this authority.

37
Q

What does harmonization with international food safety standards mean?

A

Governments are encouraged to harmonize or align their national measures with international standards, guidelines, and recommendations developed by organizations like the Codex Alimentarius Commission, Office International des Epizooties, and FAO International Plant Protection Convention.

38
Q

Does harmonization with international food safety standards result in a lowering of health protection, i.e., downward harmonization?

A

Governments can impose more stringent requirements than international standards but may need to justify this in trade disputes based on scientific evidence and risks involved.

Harmonization with international food safety standards doesn’t necessarily result in lower health protection; it’s about aligning with standards developed by experts.

Codex standards are not the “lowest common denominator”; they are based on the input of leading scientists and experts in food safety.

39
Q

Can governments take adequate precautions in setting food safety and animal and plant health requirements?

A

Governments may still choose to use higher standards than international ones if needed to meet their health protection goals.

40
Q

Does the SPS Agreement require countries to give priority to trade over food safety, or animal and plant health?

A

The SPS Agreement provides for three types of precautions:
Risk assessment with safety margins ensures health protection.
Countries can determine their acceptable risk levels based on national concerns.
Precautionary measures are allowed when sufficient scientific evidence is lacking or in emergency situations.

Banning unsafe products based on scientific evidence is permitted under the SPS Agreement.

41
Q

The SPS Agreement promotes transparency by

A

requiring governments to promptly publish SPS regulations and provide explanations upon request.

All WTO Member governments must maintain Enquiry Points to respond to inquiries regarding their SPS measures.

Proposed new regulations differing from international standards must be notified in advance to trading partners, allowing comments and ensuring transparency.

42
Q

The One Health approach is based on interdisciplinary collaborations to fight against emerging zoonotic infectious diseases. Which of the following experts is/are key in this fight?

A

Epidemiologists
Virologists
Clinicians
Vets and zoologists