Many importing nations demand that livestock and animal products crossing their borders are accompanied by certificates stating their disease-free status. Setting up an institution that provides animal health certificates with international credibility is a prerequisite for the people living in the Somali ecosystem to access lucrative markets on the Arabian peninsula and beyond. The promotion of livestock export provides a sustainable contribution to equitable economic growth, regional integration, poverty reduction and the consolidation of peace.

The thirty month project with an overall budget of € 3.1 million is a joint initiative of the African Union’s Interafrican Bureau for Animal Resources (AU/IBAR) and the European Union. Main implementing partners also include the veterinary authorities represented in the Somali ecosystem, FAO and Terra Nuova.

Launching the innovative project, AU/IBAR had invited all stakeholders to an inception workshop at the African Union Headquarters 21 to 23 April to discuss the envisaged process, identify the main issues at stake and reach a broad consensus on the concrete targets.

 Livestock export — vital to the region

The Horn of Africa hosts the largest concentration of pastoral populations and livestock on the continent. Traditionally, live animals and livestock commodities originating from the internal dry savannah of the region are exported out of the region for consumption in the Arabian Peninsula.

Livestock trade still is the second largest source of income for pastoralist families and administrations. Import bans for Somali livestock commodities as imposed in recent years by Arab countries have hit pastoralist economies hard.

Regaining market access faces the challenge of having to develop certification procedures that are suitable for mobile livestock production systems found in nomadic and transhumant pastoralism. However, the opportunities are palpable. The project will enhance the capacity of Somali public and private institutions. Professionals engaged by Somali veterinary authorities will be trained to gain valuable skills in animal health certification of international standards. Staff of the authorities will receive additional training in using epidemiological data for decision-making purposes, notification of animal health status to OIE and veterinary authorities of neighbouring countries and trading partners.

Funds will be available to finance initial investments into the formation of an animal health inspection system.

Contact details:                    Pascal Corbé, Communications Advisor and Knowledge Manager AU/IBAR

communications@au-ibar.org

Tel: +254 20 367 4220