CONTROL OF THE SPREAD OF MAJOR COMMUNICABLE FISH DISEASES CONTENTS

Report of the Government Consultation on an International Convention for the Control of the Spread of Major Communicable Fish Diseases

Aviemore, Scotland, 30 April-1 May 1974

PREPARATION OF THIS REPORT

This is the final version of the report as approved by the Government Consultation on an International Convention for the Control of the Spread of Major Communicable Fish Diseases.

FOOD AND AGRICULTURE ORGANIZATION OF THE UNITED NATIONS
Rome, 1974

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CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION

CONVENING OF THE CONSULTATION

THE OPENING OF THE CONSULTATION

ADOPTION OF THE AGENDA AND ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE CONSULTATION

ELECTION OF OFFICERS

DRAFT INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION FOR THE CONTROL OF THE SPREAD OF MAJOR COMMUNICABLE FISH DISEASES

THE TEXT OF THE DRAFT CONVENTION

ARTICLE 1 - Definitions
2 - Basic Obligation
3 - International Traffic in Fish and Fish Eggs
4 - International Fish Disease Certificates
5 - Certifying Authorities
6 - Secretariat
7 - Meetings of Contracting Parties
8 - Scientific Advisory Committee
9 - Financial Provisions
10 - Reports by Contracting Parties
11 - International Cooperation in Fish Disease Control
12 - Signature and Ratification
13 - Entry into Force
14 - Amendment of the Convention and Annexes
15 - Withdrawal
16 - Responsibilities of the Depositary

TECHNICAL ANNEXES

SPECIFIC RECOMMENDATIONS CONCERNING THE ANNEXES

Annex I
II
IIA
IIB
IIC
III
IV

THE PERFORMANCE OF SECRETARIAT FUNCTIONS AND THE CONSTITUTIONAL BASIS FOR THE PROPOSED CONVENTION

ORNAMENTAL FISH

FUTURE ACTION

APPENDIX A - List of Participants
B - Agenda
C - List of documents

INTRODUCTION

1     The European Inland Fisheries Advisory Commission (EIFAC) at its Seventh Session held in Amsterdam in April 1972, after considering the report of the Symposium on the Major Communicable Fish Diseases in Europe and their Control, also held in Amsterdam from 20 to 22 April 1972, adopted Recommendation 72/30 which called upon the Director-General of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) to “undertake consultations with the Member Governments of EIFAC and other countries concerned to ascertain their views on … a convention (for the control of the spread of major communicable fish diseases through international traffic in live fish and fish eggs) and to take appropriate action for the formulation of such a convention”.

2     In accordance with the above recommendation, the Director-General of FAO addressed a Circular State Letter dated 11 June 1973 to Member Governments of EIFAC and other countries that had participated in the Symposium to ascertain their views on the proposal for an International Convention, and indicated that if the reaction of Governments were favourable, a meeting of Government Representatives could be convened in the latter part of 1973 or early 1974 to prepare a Preliminary Draft Convention. As of April 1974, final replies had been received from 19 countries, all of which indicated support for the proposal for an International Convention and the holding of a meeting to discuss the formulation of a draft Convention. A further two countries indicated that the matter was under discussion. A Government Consultation on an International Convention for the Control of the Spread of Major Communicable Fish Diseases was accordingly convened by the Director-General of FAO in conjunction with the Eighth Session of EIFAC.

CONVENING OF THE CONSULTATION

3     The Government Consultation on an International Convention for the Control of the Spread of Major Communicable Fish Diseases was held in Aviemore, Scotland, from 30 April to 1 May 1974 on the invitation of the Government of the United Kingdom. The Consultation was attended by representatives from the following 21 countries, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, Colombia, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany (F.R.), Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Switzerland, United Kingdom, United States of America and Yugoslavia, and by observers from the International Office of Epizootics (OIE) and the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES). A list of participants is given in Appendix A to this report.

THE OPENING OF THE CONSULTATION

4     The opening of the Consultation was presided over by Dr. T.V.R. Pillay, Senior Fishery Officer, who welcomed the participants on behalf of the Director-General of FAO. Participants were also welcomed by Mr. A.V. Holden on behalf of the Government of the United Kingdom. The Consultation was then addressed by Professor P. Ghittino on behalf of OIE.

ADOPTION OF THE AGENDA AND ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE CONSULTATION

5     The Agenda for the Consultation was adopted unanimously. The Agenda is reproduced as Appendix B to this report and a list of documents is given as Appendix C.

ELECTION OF OFFICERS

6     The Consultation unanimously elected the representative of Germany, Professor K. Tiews, as Chairman and the representatives of Yugoslavia and Canada, Professor N. Fijan and Dr. G.I. Pritchard, as first and second Vice-Chairmen, respectively.

DRAFT INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION FOR THE CONTROL OF THE SPREAD OF MAJOR COMMUNICABLE FISH DISEASES

7     The Consultation considered Document FID:CFD/74/3: Draft International Convention for the Control of the Spread of Major Communicable Fish Diseases. The Consultation decided to establish a technical Working Group to consider the Annexes to the proposed draft Convention, under the Chairmanship of the first Vice-Chairman.

8     The Consultation discussed in general terms the need for and the acceptability to Governments of the proposed draft Convention. The great majority of the delegates recognized the need for such a Convention and expressed themselves generally in agreement with the principles behind the proposed draft, subject to detailed discussion of the specific articles.

THE TEXT OF THE DRAFT CONVENTION

9     The Consultation then discussed in detail the suggested articles of the proposed draft Convention. The following articles were generally agreed upon by the Consultation, subject to the comments and reservations contained in the notes to some of the Articles.

DRAFT CONVENTION FOR THE CONTROL OF COMMUNICABLE FISH DISEASES

THE CONTRACTING PARTIES

CONSCIOUS of the economic and environmental damage caused by the spread of major communicable fish diseases and the need to take concerted action to control and eventually eradicate such diseases;

AWARE that increasing international traffic in fish and fish eggs without adequate precautionary measures poses a serious danger in this respect, and in particular involves the introduction of certain diseases into countries hitherto free from such diseases;

CONVINCED nevertheless that some international traffic in fish and fish eggs is necessary for the development of aquaculture and for the improvement of fishery resources and the aquatic environment;

RECOGNIZING the need to adopt measures to facilitate international traffic in fish and fish eggs while at the same time ensuring adequate precautions against the spread of communicable fish diseases;

REALIZING that such measures should include international cooperation aimed at the study, control and eventual eradication of major communicable fish diseases;

TAKING INTO ACCOUNT the recommendations of the European Inland Fisheries Advisory Commission (EIFAC) regarding the control of the spread of the major communicable fish diseases;

HAVE AGREED AS FOLLOWS:

ARTICLE 1 - Definitions

For the purpose of this Convention:

“Certificate” means the International Fish Disease Certificate referred to in Article 4

“Fish or Fish Eggs” means live fish or live fish eggs of species listed in Annex I to this Convention

Note: One delegation expressed the view that the definition should include “sperm” as well as live fish and live fish eggs to cover the possibility of the future development of international exchange of fish sperm.

“Certifying Authority” means a certifying authority designated or established in accordance with Article 5

“The Organization” means the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.

ARTICLE 2 - Basic Obligation

The Contracting Parties shall take all appropriate measures including legislative measures, where necessary, to control the spread of communicable fish diseases through international traffic in Fish and Fish Eggs, in accordance with the provisions of this Convention.

ARTICLE 3 - International Traffic in Fish and Fish Eggs

1. No Fish or Fish Eggs shall be exported from the territory of a Contracting Party unless such Fish or Fish Eggs are accompanied by a valid Certificate issued by a Certifying Authority in the country of export in accordance with the provisions of Article 4 of this Convention.

Note: Some delegations felt that it would be sufficient to require that all importing countries should exercise controls over the importation of live fish and fish eggs. Other delegations felt that the Convention should also provide expressly for the responsibility of States to exercise disease certification controls over the exportation of live fish and fish eggs.

2. No Fish or Fish Eggs shall be imported into the territory of a Contracting Party unless:

   1. in the case of Fish or Fish Eggs imported from the territory of a Contracting Party, they are accompanied by a valid Certificate issued by a Certifying Authority in the country of export in accordance with the provision of Article 4;

   2. in the case of Fish or Fish Eggs imported from the territory of a state which is not a Contracting Party, they are accompanied by a Certificate or other document giving at least an equal guarantee as to the state of health of the Fish or Fish Eggs.

3. The provisions of this Article shall not apply to:

   1. Fish or Fish Eggs in transit through the territory of a Contracting Party, provided that the Fish or Fish Eggs are not released from their containers and that no water or packing material is released from such containers;

   2. specimens of Fish or Fish Eggs imported or exported for purposes of bona fide scientific research related to fish diseases, provided that all necessary measures are taken to avoid any spread of communicable fish diseases.

ARTICLE 4 - International Fish Disease Certificates

1. Certificates shall be in the form or incorporate the provisions prescribed in Annex II to this Convention and shall cover the diseases referred to therein.

2. Certificates may be issued only by or on behalf of a Certifying Authority in the country of export.

3. Certificates shall be based on inspection of the establishment of origin of the Fish or Fish Eggs to be exported (or on inspection of each individual export consignment) in accordance with the approved inspection procedures and methods of diagnosis set out in Annex III to this Convention.

Note: Several delegations felt that the words in brackets should be deleted.

4. Each Contracting Party shall, subject to the provisions of paragraph (5), facilitate and expedite the passage of Fish and Fish Eggs accompanied by a valid Certificate through normal frontier controls and procedures.

5. Nothing in this Convention shall derogate from the right of any Contracting Party to apply any additional measures of control, including additional certification requirements and measures of inspection and quarantine, to Fish or Fish Eggs imported into its territory where it considers such measures to be necessary.

ARTICLE 5 - Certifying Authorities

1. Each Contracting Party shall designate or establish a Certifying Authority or Authorities to be responsible for carrying out inspections and issuing Certificates in accordance with the provisions of this Convention.

2. Each Certifying Authority shall have access to adequate laboratory facilities and qualified personnel to enable it to carry out inspections and diagnoses in accordance with the provisions of Annex III.

3. Each Contracting Party shall inform the Secretariat of the identity of its Certifying Authority or Authorities and the Secretariat shall communicate this information to the other Contracting Parties.

ARTICLE 6 - Secretariat

1. Secretariat functions under this Convention shall be performed by the Organization.

Note: It was agreed that FAO should collaborate closely with the International Office of Epizootics (OIE) in the performance of secretariat functions. One delegation expressed the view that it might be preferable to have an independent secretariat. One other delegation wished to reserve its position on the question of whether there should be a secretariat or not.

2. The functions of the Secretariat shall include:

   1. the convening of periodic meetings of the Contracting Parties once every two years, or at such other intervals as the Contracting Parties may decide, and of special meetings of the Contracting Parties at any time on the request of at least two thirds of the Contracting Parties;

   2. the convening of meetings of the Scientific Advisory Committee in accordance with the provisions of Article 8;

   3. conveying to the Contracting Parties concerned all notifications and reports received by the Secretariat in accordance with Articles 5 and 10;

   4. such functions as may be necessary to ensure the full implementation of the provisions of Article 11;

   5. such other functions as may be conferred on it under this Convention or by any meeting of the Contracting Parties.

ARTICLE 7 - Meetings of Contracting Parties

1. Meetings of Contracting Parties convened in accordance with Article 6 shall keep under review the implementation of this Convention and may, inter alia:

   1. consider and adopt amendments to this Convention and its Annexes in accordance with Article 14;

   2. receive and consider reports from Contracting Parties in accordance with Article 10;

   3. consider and take such action as may be required for the attainment of the purposes of this Convention.

2. Meetings of Contracting Parties shall adopt their own rules of procedure by a simple majority vote of Contracting Parties present and voting.

Note: Several delegations expressed the view that Meetings of Contracting Parties should, whenever possible, be held in conjunction with the biennial sessions of EIFAC in order to minimize the expenses of such meetings.

ARTICLE 8 - Scientific Advisory Committee

1. The Contracting Parties shall establish a Scientific Advisory Committee on Fish Diseases and their control.

2. Each Contracting Party may designate one or more persons who shall be experts in the field of fish diseases and fish disease control to serve as members of the Scientific Advisory Committee.

3. The functions of the Scientific Advisory Committee shall be to advise the Contracting Parties and the Secretariat on any scientific matters relevant to this Convention, including, in particular, the review of the Annexes to this Convention.

4. Meetings of the Scientific Advisory Committee shall be convened by the Secretariat in consultation with the Contracting Parties at such times and places as may be necessary for the achievement of the purposes of this Convention.

Note: A delegation expressed reservations as to the need for a separate Scientific Advisory Committee and felt that these functions could be undertaken by the meetings of Contracting Parties. Most of the delegations, however, felt that the establishment of such a Committee was of considerable importance for the success of the proposed Convention. Many delegations also expressed the view that the members of the Committee should be independent experts rather than experts designated by each Contracting Party. In this connexion, the following alternative wording was suggested for paragraph (2) of Article 8.

"(2) Members of the Scientific Advisory Committee should be appointed by Contracting Parties from a list of experts on fish disease control recommended by the Director-General of the Organization.

ARTICLE 9 - Financial Provisions

1. Each Contracting Party undertakes to contribute annually its share of the administrative budget in accordance with a scale of contributions to be approved by a meeting of Contracting Parties by a two-thirds majority of Contracting Parties present and voting. The scale of contributions shall be on the basis of equal contributions by each Contracting Party.

2. The expenses of delegates and their alternates, experts and advisers occasioned by their attendance at the meetings of Contracting Parties, in accordance with Article 7, or meetings of the Scientific Advisory Committee in accordance with Article 8, shall be borne by their respective Governments.

3. The expenses of the Secretariat shall be determined and paid for by the Organization, within the limits of the biennial administrative budget approved by a meeting of Contracting Parties, from a trust fund to be established by the Organization in accordance with the provisions of paragraph (5).

4. The expenses of any cooperative programmes of research undertaken under the provisions of Article 11 shall be met by supplementary contributions from the Contracting Parties in such form and in such proportions as the Contracting Parties may determine.

5. All contributions from Contracting Parties shall be placed in a trust fund to be established and administered by the Director-General of the Organization in accordance with the Financial Regulations of the Organization.

Note: Some delegations expressed the view that contributions to the administrative budget should be assessed in accordance with the scale utilized for contributions to the budget of the United Nations. A few delegations pointed out the procedural difficulties in their countries that would be entailed in internal administrative approval of supplementary contributions.

ARTICLE 10 - Reports by Contracting Parties

1. Each Contracting Party undertakes whenever feasible to report to the Secretariat, within the shortest time practicable, full details of any significant outbreaks in its territory of any of the diseases listed in Annex IV to this Convention and, if appropriate, any control measures taken to prevent the spread of the outbreak. The Secretariat shall communicate such reports forthwith to the other Contracting Parties.

2. Each Contracting Party shall present to each periodic meeting of the Contracting Parties a report covering the state of fish diseases in its territory during the course of the two preceding years; a list of any exporting fish culture establishments classified as free from the diseases covered by this Convention; the measures adopted for the control of fish diseases, the amount of fish or fish eggs exported or imported, the methods used for inspection, diagnosis and certification, and such other information as may be requested by a meeting of Contracting Parties.

3. The Secretariat shall maintain records in an appropriate form of the information contained in reports made under paragraphs (1) and (2) above.

Note: Some delegations considered that the wording of Article 10(1) should be strengthened, or that alternatively the paragraph should be deleted and the matter of reporting dealt with within the framework of OIE. One delegation expressed the view that the reporting requirements under Article 10(1) should be limited, in a strengthened form, to fish farming establishments and that outbreaks of disease in open waters should be reported on a biennial basis under Article 10(2). One further delegation expressed general reservations on the system of automatic reporting through the Secretariat and suggested that reports of outbreaks should be collected by Governments but should be made available to other countries on request only. It was also suggested by one delegation that the requirement for reports on the number of fish or eggs exported should be deleted.

ARTICLE 11 - International Cooperation in Fish Disease Control

The Contracting Parties undertake to promote programmes of cooperative research and exchange of scientific, technical, legal and administrative information concerning fish diseases and their control.

ARTICLE 12 - Signature and Ratification

1. This Convention shall be open for signature by the Government of any state which is a Member of the United Nations or of any Specialized Agency of the United Nations, or of the International Atomic Energy Agency, or any State Party to the statute to the International Court of Justice or any other State invited by the Contracting Parties to become party to the Convention.

2. Signature of this Convention shall be subject to ratification, acceptance or approval.

3. After entry into force, the Convention shall be open for accession by any State belonging to the categories referred to in paragraph (1) of this Article.

4. Instruments of ratification, acceptance, approval or accession shall be deposited with the Director-General of the Organization, hereinafter referred to as the “Depositary”.

Note: A view was expressed that a limitation should be put on the time during which the Convention would be open for signature. Some delegations, however, felt that such a limitation might be unnecessarily restrictive in view of the fact that many countries may feel the need to improve their infrastructural facilities before undertaking international obligations under the proposed Convention. It was agreed that the question could appropriately be referred for consideration by the Conference of Plenipotentiaries convened to adopt the proposed Convention.

ARTICLE 13 - Entry into Force

This Convention shall enter into force on the sixtieth day following the date of deposit of the fifth instrument of ratification, acceptance, or approval, and thereafter for each State ratifying, accepting, approving or acceding to this Convention on the sixtieth day following the date of deposit by such State of its instrument of ratification, acceptance, approval or accession.

ARTICLE 14 - Amendment of the Convention and Annexes

1. Any contracting Party may propose amendments to the Articles of this Convention. Any such proposal shall be considered at a meeting of Contracting Parties, and if approved by two-thirds majority vote of those present and voting, shall be communicated to the Contracting Parties. Any amendment shall enter into force 60 days after its acceptance by at least two thirds of the Contracting Parties and thereafter for each Contracting Party accepting it 60 days after the deposit of its instrument of acceptance of the amendment.

2. Amendments to the Annexes to this Convention may be proposed by any Contracting Party or by the Scientific Advisory Committee established under Article 8. Any such proposal made by a Contracting Party shall be referred as soon as possible to the Scientific Advisory Committee for its comments thereon. Any proposed amendment, together with the comments of the Scientific Advisory Committee thereon, shall be communicated to the Contracting Parties; such amendment shall enter into force 60 days after its acceptance by at least two thirds of the Contracting Parties, and thereafter for each Contracting Party accepting it, 60 days after the deposit of its instrument of acceptance of the amendment.

Alternatively:

2. Amendments to the Annexes to this Convention may be proposed by any Contracting Party or by the Scientific Advisory Committee established under Article 8. Any such proposal made by a Contracting Party shall be referred as soon as possible to the Scientific Advisory Committee for its comments thereon. Any proposed amendment, together with the comments of the Scientific Advisory Committee thereon, shall be communicated to the Contracting Parties; such amendment shall enter into force at the expiration of a period of 6 months from the date of its communication to the Contracting Parties, or at the expiration of such other period as may be agreed upon by a meeting of the Contracting parties, unless within that period an objection is communicated to the Depositary by not less than one third of the Contracting Parties.

Note: Several delegations expressed a preference for the first alternative of Article 14(2). Some delegations, however, noted the need for fast action in the amendment procedures but considered that the matter should be referred for consideration at a later date. The view was also expressed that amendments accepted by a two-third majority of Contracting Parties should be binding on all Contracting Parties.

ARTICLE 15 - Withdrawal

At any time after two years from the date on which this Convention has entered into force for any Contracting Party, that Contracting Party may withdraw from the Convention by means of a written notification to that effect. Such written notification of withdrawal shall take effect twelve months after the date of its receipt by the Depositary.

ARTICLE 16 - Responsibilities of the Depositary

1. The Depositary shall inform the Governments of the States referred to in paragraphs (1) and (3) of Article 12:

   1. of signatures of this Convention and of the deposit of instruments of ratification, acceptance, approval of accession in accordance with Article 12;

   2. of the date on which this Convention will come into force in accordance with Article 13;

   3. of any notification of withdrawal received in accordance with Article 15.

2. The Depositary shall inform the Contracting Parties:

   1. of proposals for the amendment of the text of the Convention or of the Annexes to the Convention, of notifications of acceptance of such amendments, and the entry into force of such amendments in accordance with Article 14.

3. The original of this Convention shall be deposited with the Depositary who shall send certified copies thereof to the Governments of all States eligible to become Parties to this Convention in accordance with Article 12.

Done at                                                                                     this                                                      of                                         in a single copy in the English, French, Russian and Spanish languages, each version being equally authoritative.

TECHNICAL ANNEXES

10     The technical annexes were reviewed by the Working Party appointed for the purpose and its conclusions and recommendations as contained in paragraphs (11) to (25) were approved by the Consultation.

11     All members of the Working Party agreed to the inclusion of Infectious Pancreatic Necrosis (IPN), Infectious Haematopoietic Necrosis (IHN), and Viral Haemorrhagic Septicaemia (VHS) in the International List of Fish Diseases; it was recommended that the term “of salmonids” be dropped in relation to the three aforementioned diseases.

12     Some members of the Working Party expressed reservations concerning the inclusion of Furunculosis, Whirling Disease (WD) and Infectious Dropsy of Cyprinids (IDC) in the International List of Fish Diseases. Specific comments with reference to these diseases were as follows:

1. Furunculosis: the observation was made that furunculosis is a disease enzootic in European waters, and that the diagnosis of asymptomatic carrier states of the infection is frequently unreliable; it was suggested that this difficulty might be overcome by serological methods to complement or extend more traditional methods involving the isolation of Aeromonas salmonicida from the fish. The division of opinion on the inclusion of furunculosis in the list of diseases covered by the Convention was: eight countries in favour of inclusion and six countries not in favour of inclusion.

2. Whirling disease (WD): the observation was made that whirling disease is enzootic to many European waters, and that more precise techniques for the diagnosis of this condition are now available and could be recommended as a basis for any certification purposes. Certain countries would be prepared to accept eggs from stock affected by whirling disease, always with the proviso that these eggs could be guaranteed as having been maintained in water free from the spores of Myxosoma cerebralis. The division of opinion on the inclusion of whirling disease in the list of diseases covered by the Convention was: ten countries in favour of inclusion, and four countries not in favour of inclusion.

3. Infectious Dropsy of Cyprinids (IDC): the prevailing opinion of the Working Party was that IDC is a complex condition and cannot be conveniently included under a single heading; it was appreciated that further research is necessary for a comprehensive differential diagnosis of:

   1. Spring Viraemia of Carp (SVC)

   2. Swim Bladder Inflammation (SBI)

   3. Carp Erythrodermatitis (CE);

   there was considerable variation of opinion in the Working Party as to the precise nomenclature for inclusion of “Infectious Dropsy of Cyprinids (IDC)” in the Convention. Six countries would agree to the inclusion of “Spring Viraemia (SV)” caused by Rhabdovirus carpio, whereas two countries would prefer to retain the term “Infectious Dropsy of Cyprinids (IDC)” to describe this condition. Four countries abstained from expressing a definite opinion on the precise terminology to be used.

13     All members of the Working Party reached agreement on the desirability of standardizing the diagnostic procedures for the isolation of the IPN, IHN and VHS agents, with the object of facilitating the detection of these agents in the same sample lot of fish. Specific recommendations concerning modifications to the diagnostic procedures acceptable to all members of the Working Party are given in paragraph 24 (a).

14     All members of the Working Party were in agreement as to the need for future consideration to be given to the inclusion of the following diseases or diseased conditions into the List of Fish Diseases covered by the terms of the Convention:

1. “Red Disease of Pike (RDP)”

2. “Channel Catfish Virus Disease (CCVD)”

3. “Gill Necrosis”

4. “Bacterial Kidney Disease (BKD)”

5. “Swim Bladder Inflammation (SBI)”.

15     All members of the Working Party expressed full support and agreement with the need for Cooperative Research Programmes designed to elucidate facets of economically important diseases of unknown or uncertain aetiology. It was recommended, initially, that urgent attention be given to Swim Bladder Inflammation (SBI) and Carp Erythrodermatitis (CE) within the concept of such Cooperative Research Programmes.

16     One delegation proposed that serious consideration be given in the future to infectious or contagious diseases affecting ornamental aquarium fish. It was appreciated that many such diseases are of economic importance to countries concerned with the exportation of live ornamental fish from their waters as commercial activity.

17     All members of the Working Party agreed that individual countries may find desirable the inclusion of specified diseases or diseased conditions additional to those included in the present minimum list covered by the Convention. It was appreciated that such a measure would provide the countries concerned with an additional protection for their own national fishery resources.

18     The desirability of separate certification with respect to the following was proposed to the Working Party:

1. live trout/carp for consumption within a specified period of time;

2. live trout/carp for stocking purposes.

In view of the obvious need for more detailed discussion and clarification of this proposal, the Working Party agreed to defer the presentation of any specific recommendations at this time.

19     One delegation proposed that the disinfection of lorries used in the transportation of live salmonid fish be defined in a special Annex in the Convention; the Consultation gave unanimous support to this proposal, and agreed that such a draft Annex should be prepared for consideration.

20     One delegation made a proposal concerning the inclusion, in the same new Annex mentioned in paragraph 18 above, of methods for the disinfection or disposal of containers used in the transportation of live salmonid eggs. The Consultation expressed unanimous agreement with this proposal, and recommended that a draft Annex be prepared for consideration.

21     The Working Party was in full agreement as to the need for clinical findings and observations to be complemented by standardized laboratory examinations, as and when the use of such examinations is applicable to the specified disease concerned.

SPECIFIC RECOMMENDATIONS CONCERNING THE ANNEXES

22     Annex I - The Working Party recommended that the list of species included in Annex I of the Convention be widened by the addition of Percidae and Esocidae. The Working Party was advised that members of of these families can act as asymptomatic carriers of the IPN virus.

23     Annex II - Specific recommendations made by the Working Party were as follows:

(i) Annex IIA

1. the title be amended to read: “International Fish Disease Certificate for eyed eggs of cultivated fish of the Family Salmonidae” (inclusion of the word “cultivated” in line 2 of the title);

2. the amendment of the statement “and on the basis of such inspection has been found to be free from the following infectious or contagious diseases” to read: “and on the basis of such inspection of representative samples, has been found to be free during the previous two years from the following infectious or contagious diseases” (inclusion of the words “of representative samples”, and “during the previous two years” respectively in lines 9 and 10 of the text);

3. that the following statement be added to the text: “This batch of eggs has been disinfected immediately prior to shipment, by the method stipulated in Annex V of this Convention”; the recommended new Annex V would need to be prepared by the Secretariat, and the technical content of the draft text agreed upon in principle by the Working Party;

4. the deletion of “4. furunculosis (Aeromonas salmonicida)” and “5. whirling disease (Myxosoma cerebralis)” respectively from the list of diseases covered by the Certificate itself, and the inclusion of these diseases as a footnote for information purposes to the importing country. A suggested text of the footnote could read: “the eggs in this consignment are free of the following infectious or contagious diseases:

   	Yes	No
   A. Furunculosis (Aeromonas salmonicida)	□	□
   B. Whirling disease (Myxosoma [Lentospora] cerebralis)	□	□”.

(ii) Annex IIB

1. the amendment of the statement “age of fish comprising the present consignment” to read: “age and size of fish comprising the present consignment” (inclusion of the words “and size” in line 6 of the text);

2. the deletion of “4. furunculosis (Aeromonas salmonicida)” and “5. whirling disease (Myxosoma cerebralis)” respectively from the list of diseases covered by the Certificate itself, and the inclusion of these diseases as a footnote for information purposes to the importing country. A suggested text of the footnote could read: “the fish in this consignment are free of the following infectious or contagious diseases:

   	Yes	No
   A. Furunculosis (Aeromonas salmonicida)	□	□
   B. Whirling disease (Myxosoma [Lentospora] cerebralis)	□	□”.

(iii) Annex IIC

1. the amendment of the statement “age of fish comprising the present consignment” to read: “age and size of fish comprising the present consignment” (inclusion of the words “and size” in line 7 of the text);

2. the deletion of the term “Infectious Dropsy of Cyprinids (IDC)”, and substitution of the term “Spring Viraemia (SV)” in its place;

3. the inclusion of a footnote for information purposes to the importing country. The text proposed is: “on the basis of a clinical inspection, the fish in this consignment showed evidence of:

   	Yes	No
   A. Gill Necrosis	□	□
   B. Ulcers	□	□
   C. Changes in the Swim Bladder	□	□
   D. Cestodes	□	□”.

   
   

4. the rewording of line 3 of the text to read: “Source of fish¹, and address of establishment of origin (if any)”.

24     Annex III

1. the techniques recommended for the diagnosis of IPN, IHN and VHS be standardized as follows:

   1. use of the RTG-2 cell line for isolation and detection of these three viruses;

   2. use of a uniform temperature of incubation of 15°C;

   3. extension of the period of incubation and detection of CPE from 7 to 10 days;

   4. the performance of at least one further sub-culture for detection of the virus in all cases where no CPE is observed in the primary culture;

2. that a specific section be incorporated into the text of the diagnostic methods recommended for IPN, IHN and VHS to outline a procedure for the detection of carrier states of these viruses;

3. that a specific requirement be incorporated into the text of the diagnostic methods to ensure that the inspection and laboratory examination of samples be carried out at least twice a year. It was recommended that the interval between each inspection and laboratory examination should start with the spawning period.

25     Annex IV - The Working Party agreed that the list of fish diseases covered by the certification requirements of the Convention be amended to include:

1. diseases for which specific testing and certification are required:

   SALMONIDAE

   1. Infectious Pancreatic Necrosis (IPN)

   2. Infectious Haematopoietic Necrosis (IHN)

   3. Viral Haemorrhagic Septicaemia (VHS)

   CYPRINIDAE

   4. Spring Viraemia (SV)

2. Diseases and diseased conditions of which notification is obligatory:

   SALMONIDAE

   1. Furunculosis (Aeromonas salmonicida)

   2. Whirling Disease (WD; Myxosoma [Lentospora] cerebralis)

   CYPRINIDAE

   1. Gill Necrosis

   2. Ulcers

   3. Changes in the Swim Bladder

   4. Cestodes

THE PERFORMANCE OF SECRETARIAT FUNCTIONS AND THE CONSTITUTIONAL BASIS FOR THE PROPOSED CONVENTION

26     The Consultation considered the question of the constitutional basis under which the proposed Convention should be adopted and, in particular, whether the Convention should be adopted under Article XIV of the FAO Constitution or outside the framework of FAO. The great majority of the delegations expressed the view that it would be preferable for the Convention to be adopted outside the scope of Article XIV in view of what they considered to be somewhat lengthy and cumbersome procedure for the adoption and amendment of conventions under that procedure although they noted that simplified procedures of amendment of technical annexes could also be envisaged under Article XIV. One delegation expressed the view, however, that the Convention should preferably be adopted under Article XIV procedure in order that the Convention could operate within the framework of, and take advantage of the facilities offered by the Organization. The great majority of the delegations felt, however, that even if the Convention were adopted outside the framework of FAO, FAO should be invited to perform secretariat functions under the Convention.

ORNAMENTAL FISH

27     The Consultation discussed the question of the problems, if any, presented by international trade in ornamental fish. The size of international trade in such fish was noted - in the U.S.A. alone the value of such trade was in excess of U.S.$ 2.5 billion. It was generally agreed that the problem should be kept under consideration, but that it would be neither feasible nor desirable to include ornamental fish within the scope of controls under the proposed Convention at the present moment. It was felt, however, that support should be given to those countries, such as Colombia, that were endeavouring to exercise some form of control over their exports of such fish. In this connexion, the Consultation recommended that Governments should keep under consideration the problem of ornamental fish with the view to the eventual inclusion of such fish in the Convention if this should prove feasible and if it can be shown that significant risks to natural stocks exist.

FUTURE ACTION

28     Following its deliberations on the proposed draft Convention and technical annexes, the Consultation then discussed the future action to be taken. The Consultation: Recommended that following the communication of the edited version of the final report to Governments, a further draft of the proposed Convention and technical annexes should be prepared taking into account the views expressed at the present Consultation. The revised drafts should be submitted to Governments for further comments, on the basis of which a “final” version of the draft should be prepared by the Secretariat for eventual submission to a Conference of Plenipotentiaries. The need for a second consultation was discussed, and it was agreed that such a further consultation would not appear to be necessary, at the moment, although this possibility should not be ruled out.

APPENDIX A
LIST OF PARTICIPANTS

Austria

RYDLO, Dr. M.
Biologist
Austrian Federal Institute for Water Research and Fishery
A-5341 Scharfling am Mondsee 00

Belgium

HUET, Prof. M.
Directeur
Station de Recherches des Eaux et Forets
1990 Groenendaal-Hoeilaart

Bulgaria

CHERVENKOV, G.A.
Chef
Division de la Truite
Ministère de l'Agriculture et de l'Industrie alimentaire
SEB “Ribno Stopanstvo”
Burgas

Canada

EVELYN, Dr. T.P.T.
Scientist
Pacific Biological Station
Fisheries and Marine Service
Nanaimo
British Columbia

MACKELVIE, R.M.
Research Scientist
Fisheries and Marine Service
P.O. Box 429
Halifax
Nova Scotia

PRITCHARD, Dr. G.I.
Program Coordinator Aquaculture
Fisheries and Marine Service
Ottawa
Ontario

Colombia

ACEVEDO, Dr. G.
Director General de Pesca del INDERENA
Proyecto para el desarrollo de la pesca continental
Apartado aéreo No. 17798
Bogota

ACERO SANCHEZ, Dr. A.
Co-Director
Proyecto para el desarrollo de la pesca continental
Apartado aéreo No. 17798
Bogota

Denmark

DAHL, Jørgen
Master of Science
Danmarks Fiskeri - og Havundersøgelser
Charlottenlund Slot
2920 Charlottenlund

KEHLET, N.P.
Veterinarian
Veterinary Directorate
Søblink
7361 Ejstrupholm

Finland

SUMARI, O.T.
41360 Valkola
Finland

France

CHOULET, J.
Chef du Service de la Pêche et de l'Hydrobiologie
1ter, Avenue de Lowerdal
75007 Paris

TIXERANT, G.
Inspecteur Vétérinaire
Direction des Services Vétérinaires
Ministère de l'Agriculture et du Développement Rural
78, rue de Varenne
75 Paris

Germany, Federal Republic of

BOHL, M.
Teichwirtschaftl
Abteilung der Bayer Biolog. Versuchsanstalt
8121 Wielenbach/Obb.

DEUFFEL, Dr. J.
Staatliches Institut für Seenforschung u. Seenbewirtschaftung
79 Langenargen
Untere Seestr. 81

KEIZ, Dr. G.
Ministerialrat
Bayer, Staatsministerium für Ernährung Landwirtschaft und Forsten
D8 München
Ludwigstr. 2

KLEINSTEUBER, Dr. H.
Landwirtschaftskammer
Weser-Ems
29 Oldenburg
Mars-la-Tourstr. 1

KOOPS, H.
Dipl. Biol.
Bundesforschungsanstalt für Fischerei
Institut für Küsten - und Binnenfischerei
2 Hamburg 50

LEHMANN, Dr. J.
Landesanstalt für Fischerei
Nordrhein-Westfalen
5942 Kirchhundem 1
Albaum

von LUKOWICZ, Dr. M.
Bayerische Landesanstalt für Fischerei
8552 Höchstadt/Aisch
Greiendorfor Weg. 8

REICHENBACH-KLINKE, Prof. Dr. H.H.
Zoologisch-Parasitologisches Institut
8 München 22
Kaulbachstr. 37

SCHULZ, Frau Dr. D.
1 Berlin 31
Nedlitzer-Str. 31

SCHWANZ-PFITZNER, Frau Dr. J.
Wissenschaft Oberrätin
Robert-Koch-Institut
Bundesgesundheitsamt
1 Berlin 65
Nordufer 20

TIEWS, Prof. Dr. K.
Bundesforschungsanstalt für Fischerei
Institut für Küsten- und Binnenfischerei
2 Hamburg 50

Hungary

BUZA, L.
Head of Department
National Fishery Inspectorate
Ministry of Agriculture and Food
Kossuth Lajos ter 11
Budapest V

DENES, Dr. L.
Director
Department of Animal Health
Ministry of Agriculture and Food
Kossuth Lajos ter 11
Budapest V

THURANSZKY, Z.,
Senior Officer
National Fishery Inspectorate
Ministry of Agriculture and Food
Kossuth Lajos ter 11
Budapest V

Iceland

GUDJONSSON, Thor
Director
Institute of Freshwater Fisheries
P.O. Box 754
Reykjavik

Ireland

DOYLE, Miss J.
Assistant Inspector of Fisheries
Department of Agriculture and Fisheries
Cathal Brugha Street
Dublin 1

O'BRIEN, D.J.
Research Officer
Veterinary Research Laboratory
Abbotstown
Castleknock
Co.Dublin

Italy

BARADA, M.
Head of Section
Fishery Department
Ministry of Merchant Marine
00100 Rome

Japan

KAWAZU, H.
Freshwater Fisheries Research Laboratory
Hino-shi
Tokyo

SUTO, T.
First Secretary
Embassy of Japan
46 Grosvenor Street
London W1

Netherlands

van DRIMMELEN, D.E.
Chairman, OVB
Organisatie ter Verbetering Binnenvisserij
Stadhouderslaan 53
Utrecht

JANSEEN, J.
Veterinary Inspector
Ministry of Agriculture
1e v.d. Boschstraat 4
The Hague

STEINMETZ, B.
Fishery Consultant
Fisheries Division
Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries
1e v.d. Boschstraat 4
The Hague

Norway

GLADHAUG, O.
Superintending Veterinary Inspector
Veterinary Directorate
The Royal Ministry of Agriculture
Oslo

HAASTEIN, T.
Fishery Pathologist
The Veterinary Institute
P.O. Box 8156
Oslo Dep.

Spain

QUIROGA, H.
Oceanógrafo
Laboratorio Oceanográfico
P.O. Box 130
La Coruña

ZARZUELO PASTOR, E.
Jefe
Laboratorio Regional de Sanidad Animal del Ebro
Zaragoza

Switzerland

KLINGLER, Dr. K.
Chef
Service fédéral de recherches sur les maladies de poissons
Länggasstrasse 122
CH-3019
Berne

MEIER, W.
Pestalozzistr. 18
CH-3007
Berne

United Kingdom

ALABASTER, John S.
Head of Pollution Division
Water Research Centre
Stevenage Laboratory
Elder Way
Stevenage, Hertfordshire SG1 1TH
England

ALLAN, I.R.H.
Chief Officer
Research Director
Salmon and Freshwater Fisheries Laboratory
Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food
10 Whitehall Place (East)
London, SW1A 2HH

CORKILL, W.G.R.
Fisheries Division
Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food
Great Westminster House
London S.W.1

HILL, Dr. B.J.
Fish Pathologist
Fish Diseases Laboratory
Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food
The Nothe
Weymouth
Dorset

HOLDEN, A.V.
Senior Principal Scientific Officer
Freshwater Fisheries Laboratory
Faskally
Pitlochry
Perthshire PH16 5LB
Scotland

LLOYD, R.
Salmon and Freshwater Fisheries Laboratory
Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food
10 Whitehall Place
London SW1A 2HH

MUNRO, Dr. A.L.S.
Marine Laboratory
Department of Agriculture and Fisheries for Scotland
Argyle House
Lady Lawson Street
Edinburgh EH3 9DR

RANKIN, J.F.
Solicitor's Office
St. Andrew's House
Edinburgh
Scotland

SEDGWICK, S.D.
Inspector
Salmon and Freshwater Fisheries for Scotland
Department of Agriculture and Fisheries for Scotland
Argyle House
Lady Lawson Street
Edinburgh EH3 9DR

STEVENSON, Dr. J.P.
Fish Pathologist
Fish Diseases Laboratory
Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food
The Nothe
Weymouth
Dorset

WARD, B.G.S.
Principal
Department of Agriculture and Fisheries for Scotland
Argyle House, Lady Lawson Street
Edinburgh EH3 9DR

U.S.A.

LARSEN, H.N.
Deputy Associate Director
Fish and Wildlife Service
Bureau of Sport Fisheries and Wildlife
United States Department of the Interior
Washington, D.C. 20240

Yugoslavia

FIJAN, Prof. N.
Zavod za Biologiju i Patologiju Riba i Pčela
Veterinarski Fakultet Sveučilišta
Heinzelova 55
P.O. Box 411
41001 Zagreb

INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS

International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES)

ALLAN, I.R.H. (see also under United Kingdom)

International Office of Epizootics (OIE)

GHITTINO, Prof. Dr. P.
Chairman of the OIE Commission for the Study of fish diseases
Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale
Via Bologna 148
10154 Turin, Italy

VISITORS

Malawi

CHAIKA, J.J.
Government Research Officer
Box 27
Monkey Bay

Norway

EGIDIUS, Mrs. Emmy
Scientist
Institute of Marine Research
Nordnesparken 2
5011 Bergen

United Kingdom

DUNCAN, I.B.
Marine Laboratory
P.O. Box 101
Victoria Road
Aberdeen AB9 8DB

ELSON, K.G.R.
Fish Pathologist
Department of Agriculture and Fisheries for Scotland
Marine Laboratory, Torry
Aberdeen

HEIGHWAY, A.
Chairman
Fishing News Books
23 Rosemount Avenue
West Byfleet, Surrey

HEIGHWAY, Miss V.
Deputy Managing Director
Fishing News Books
23 Rosemount Avenue
West Byfleet, Surrey

WOOTTEN, R.
Marine Laboratory
P.O. Box 101
Aberdeen

SHEPHERD, C.J.
Stirling University
Stirling

FAO SECRETARIAT

Pillay, T.V.R.
Technical Secretary
Senior Fishery Officer (Aquaculture)

Moore, G.K.F.
Legal Officer
Legislation Branch

Gaudet, J.-L.
Fishery Officer, EIFAC Secretary

Conroy, D.
FAO Consultant (Fish diseases)

INTERPRETERS

Miss Ana Ines Arizti, France
Mrs. L. Calmann, U.K.
Mrs. Escorza, France
Mrs. M. Leenheer-Braid, Netherlands
Mr. R. MacLeod, U.K.
Miss A.M. Ontiveros, Spain
Miss D. Porret, Switzerland
Mrs. I. Testo-Ferry, France
Miss U. Weide, France
Mrs. S. Ziegler-Leiber, Germany F.R.

APPENDIX B
AGENDA

1. Opening of the Consultation

2. Adoption of the agenda and arrangements for the Consultation

3. Election of officers

4. Draft International Convention for the Control of the Spread of Major Communicable Fish Diseases

5. Any other matters

6. Adoption of report

APPENDIX C
LIST OF DOCUMENTS