Monday, November 21, 2016
AU-IBAR using European Union funds,Federal Government of Somalia, and regional authorities including the government of Puntland Sate of Somalia and Somaliland in partnership with Egyptian Ministry of Agriculture, recently organised for 41 quarantine and veterinary staff as participants aseven (7) day training programme on Quarantine Management Practices and Laboratory Diagnosis of trade sensitive/limiting diseases (FMD, RVF, PPR and Brucellosis).
This training was implemented at the Egypt Animal Health Research Institute (AHRI). The training was implemented through the African Union Interafrican Bureau for Animal resources (AU-IBAR) through three projects: the s received funding from European Union through the following projects.
The European Union funded Enhancing Somali Trade in Livestock (ESOTL) project that aims to improve the livelihoods and enhance resilience to shocks and disasters of livestock dependent households in Somalia.
The European Union funded Reinforcing Animal Health Services in Somalia (RAHS) that aims to enhance the quality, access and sustainability of animal health services in Somalia;
The Standard Methods and Procedures in Animal Health (SMP-AH) project supported by USAID that aims to stabilize livelihoods of livestock dependent communities by enhancing capacities of all livestock value chain actors to effectively prevent and control transboundary animal diseases in a harmonized and coordinated manner.
In lauding the training, the Minister for Livestock, Forestry and Range (MLFR) Hon Said Hussein Iid indicated that the training was necessary to build the capacity for Somali institutions to be responsive to importing country requirements. The trainees also said that theirinteractions during the training havestrengthened coordination linkages between the personnel drawn from respective veterinary authorities in Somaliland, Puntland and the Federal line ministries. It will also enhance their capacity to reduce the risk of exporting animals with diseases and to ensure compliance with animal welfare standards.
During the training participants were exposed to good quarantine practices that need to be put in place among the quarantine stations in Somalia in order to comply with SPS and animal welfare requirements of importing countries in the Middle East and North Africa. Exchange of contacts were also made to ensure that Egyptian personnel continue to play a key role in the livestock quarantine stations in Somalia through the provision of technical backstopping.
In his opening remarks, the Director AU-IBAR indicated that the training was aimed at promoting intra and interregional livestock trade and opening the markets with Egypt by raising awareness and diagnostic skills for quarantine management and operations as well as laboratory diagnosis and interpretation of laboratory results of common transboundary animal diseases (TADs) that limit trade.
To mitigate the risk of introduction of TADs to importing countries, live animals from these areas, particularly in the Greater Horn of Africa (GHoA), destined for export are held in quarantine stations prior to export. This approach has allowed countries in the GHoA to access livestock markets despite the difficulty of achieving whole country or zonal disease free status.
Egyptian livestock importer association who closely monitored the training reported that Egypt’s growing population of over 91 million, and a demand for 1 million metric tons of meat annuallystrong historical and cultural ties between the two countries provided a reasonable opportunity for huge exports if harnessed appropriately. It is widely recognized that the Egyptian livestock and meat markets present a considerable growth opportunity to the Somali livestock exports.
In thanking the ESOLT project, AU-IBAR and the EU, the participants appreciated the role of the Government of Egypt and the Animal Health Research institute for hosting the training. Key amonst the comments in evaluating the training was that they had gained an unforgettable experience in attending the highly informative and intensive training implemented through the use of high level expertise for quality and successful delivery.
The training was pricesless in ingraining new skills, knowldhe and information to the betterment of service delivery in Somalia. Many of the participants indcated a readiness to return to Somalia with a willinness to apply the skills gain change the situation of livestock, and apply its benefits to ensure a more secure and resilleinet livelihoods for the livestock keepers.
The Minister Hon Said Hussein Iid concluded as the Somali seeks sustainable growth in incomes and employment, it is vital to build stronger and deeper links with other agri-economies such as Egypt. This to a large extent depends on the ability of Somali producers to satisfy international standards for trade in live animals and food safety. It is therefore essential that we grow this collaboration through such technical exchanges, creating vital linkages amongst our two peoples in greater south to south activities.
We do thank AU-IBAR and the European Union for this great effort at supporting the people of Somalia.