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The Role of Livestock for ACP countries: challenges and opportunities ahead. Addressing animal and human health constraints: a global and regional priority Vittorio Cagnolati. Brussels, 1 July 2009. Challenges.
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The Role of Livestock for ACP countries: challenges and opportunities ahead Addressing animal and human health constraints: a global and regional priority Vittorio Cagnolati Brussels, 1 July 2009
Challenges • Africa harbours a large number of infectious animal and zoonotic diseases, with direct and indirect negative impact on human health, well being and livestock production • Most zoonotic diseases in Africa originate from wild animals and or domestic animals reared under extensive/scavenging systems • Only Rinderpest eradicated from the Continent • Major epizootic diseases (FMD, CBPP, PPR and Newcastle) still widespread and causing heavy losses • There are rising environmental concerns due to livestock production, animal welfare issues and public health
Trends • Increased poverty and marginalization • Inability of public sector to fund and maintain good animal health control programs • Rapid urbanization, changing behaviour, increased demand for animal products and safety standards • Intensification of animal production, especially poultry, pigs and dairy sectors • Increased speed and movement of people and livestock commodities • Changing land use systems and climate change • Weak veterinary services and cooperation with public health services
Impact of epizootic and zoonotic diseases (1) • Reduced availability of valuable animal proteins to producers, especially poor farmers and pastoralists, and consumers (hunger, malnutrition and poor diet quality) • Poor human health and well-being • Impaired animal productivity (meat, eggs, milk, hides and skins) and fertility • Limited access to lucrative domestic, regional and international markets • Diminished contribution of animal resources to poverty alleviation, food security and economic growth
Impact of epizootic and zoonotic diseases (2) • High cost of control and prevention at producer and national levels • Decreased availability of animal draught power, especially for subsistence farmers, and on farm transport; especially important among elderly and sickly (HIV/AIDS) farmers • Constrained domestic and regional growth of agro-processing industries (insufficient and irregular supply of quality animal products and by-products) • Erosion of social values and insecurity, especially in pastoral areas
Weak Veterinary Services • Gross under-funding at national level • Poor cooperation with Public Health Services • Limited laboratory diagnostic capacity and surveillance systems • Paucity of timely and reliable data for evidence based advocacy, development of control strategies, resource allocation and investments • Patchy early warning and response mechanisms • Poor regional and continental coordination (except Rinderpest and HPAI) • Isolated from functional networks, aged workforce with insufficient or out-moded skills
AU-IBAR main achievements (1) Rinderpest eradicated after 45 years through: • Coordinated efforts at Pan-African and Regional levels • 250 million USD mobilized by different programs (JP15, PARC, PACE and SERECU); • 525 million heads of cattle immunized; • Extensive surveillance in domestic cattle and wildlife; • Capacity building at national level on surveillance, diagnosis and vaccine production (PANVAC) • Strong coordination at global level (GREP of FAO) and OIE
AU-IBAR main achievements (2) Control of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (1) • Rapidly mobilized substantial resources (SPINAP-AHI, ERSCA and EDRSAIA) • SPINAP-AHI built on the experience and network developed by PACE • Strengthen national capacity for early detection and rapid response • Improved surveillance, diagnostic capacity, border control, awareness creation and behaviour change communication • Institutional arrangement with partners involved in both animal and public health
AU-IBAR main achievements (3) Control of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (2) • Development of Integrated National Action Plan (INAP) to foster cooperation between human and animal health professionals, coordination at national level and improved communication • Funding provided to 47 Sub-Saharan African Countries • Established an integrated team at AU-IBAR level, comprised of Animal, Human and Wildlife experts • Strong coordination with World Bank, FAO and OIE • Establishment of Regional Animal Health Centre in partnership with FAO and OIE (3 fully operational)
Way Forward • Promote the “One World, One Health” approach in the Continent • Mobilize resources (domestic, regional and international) and coordinate Pan-African control and eradication programs for major epizootic diseases • Enhance capacity for early detection and rapid response for emerging and re-emerging animal diseases and zoonosis • Enhance capacity of Member Countries and Regional Economic Communities (RECs) to coordinate and implement disease prevention and control programs • Enhance the governance of Veterinary Services