African Union Interafrican Bureau for Animal Resources 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

African Union Interafrican Bureau for Animal Resources  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 Challenges

African Union Interafrican Bureau for Animal Resources 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

African Union Interafrican Bureau for Animal Resources  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 (1)

African Union Interafrican Bureau for Animal Resources  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 Impact of epizootic and zoonotic diseases (2)

African Union Interafrican Bureau for Animal Resources 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

African Union Interafrican Bureau for Animal Resources 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

African Union Interafrican Bureau for Animal Resources 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

African Union Interafrican Bureau for Animal Resources 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)

African Union Interafrican Bureau for Animal Resources 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

African Union Interafrican Bureau for Animal Resources Thank You