The current goal of rinderpest control is to achieve freedom of countries and later of entire world regions from rinderpest with the ultimate aim of achieving global eradication. It is therefore necessary to institute a system for verifying the steps towards these short and long term aims, and to assist countries, which wish to trade in livestock and livestock products, but face difficulties due to the presence or past occurrence of rinderpest.

This system, elaborated during the expert consultation held in Paris (August 1989) on Rinderpest Surveillance Systems (described in the document "Recommended Standards for epidemiological surveillance systems for rinderpest"), has since become informally but widely known as the OIE PATHWAY. These standards were adopted by the 66th general session of the OIE (Office International des Epizooties) and now form part of the International Animal Health Code, section 4.5.1.1, page 379 (OIE, 1998).

In assisting countries, GREP and partners have faced many problems, in order to consolidate the achievement and make sure that the deadline of 2010 is made; GREP and AU-IBAR have requested OIE to modify the so-called OIE pathway so that it could be in line with the new rinderpest epidemiological situation. In May 2007, the adoption of a new Terrestrial Animal Health Code Rinderpest Chapter and Annex by the 75th OIE General Session marks the start of the final thrust to achieve global rinderpest freedom accreditation by the deadline of 2010.

Cleck here to view the new OIE Pathway document