1

OIE’s role in smallholder livestock production in the SADC region

Conference on Policies for Competitive Smallholder Livestock ProductionGaborone, Botswana, 4-6 March 2015

M. LetshwenyoOIE Sub-Regional Representation for Southern Africa, Gaborone, Botswana

22

Presentation Layout

• Background Information

• OIE Mandate

• Objectives of the OIE

• OIE Standards

• Benefits to Farmers

• Conclusion

33

Background Information

• Formed in 1924 as the Office International des Epizooties (OIE)

• In 2003 became the World Organisation for Animal Health

• Responsible for Animal Health, Welfare and Veterinary Public Health

• Currently 180 member countries (represented by their Directors of Veterinary Services)

• Operates through a network of more than 200 Regional/Sub-Regional Offices & Reference Laboratories

44

Background Information

• For Africa Region, there are 4 sub-regions

• West Africa (Bamako, Mali)

• Southern Africa (Gaborone, Botswana)

• East and Horn of Africa (Nairobi, Kenya)

• North Africa (Tunis, Tunisia)

• Implement OIE Mandate at sub-regional level

• Assist Veterinary Services of Sub-regions with

compliance to OIE international standards

55

Background Information on

Small holder Livestock Production

• Definition: refers to farmers who keep small

numbers of animals as a single or multi-species

(synonymous with traditional farming)

• In most African countries they are the majority

(~80%) compared to ~20% commercial

• Comprises the widest diversity of;

• producers (men, women, youth, etc.)

• livestock species (cattle, sheep, goats, chicken, etc.)

• Vulnerable to poor economic performance of

countries

66

Background Information on

Small holder Livestock Production

• Importance of livestock

- Food (meat & milk) - Draught power

- Bartering - Manure

- Sign of wealth - Ceremonial events

- Source of raw material for industry (e.g. hides/skins)

• All contingent on animals & products being free

from diseases, safe for human consumption and

animals treated humanely

• The consumer is particular about these three –

direct bearing on access to market

77

Background Information on

Small holder Livestock Production

• To assist small holder livestock producers to be

competitive in the livestock industry, these must

be addressed

• Addressing these is complex, difficult and costly –

hence it is a public good

• The OIE support all farmers, through their

member countries to produce livestock.

88

OIE Mandate

• the improvement of animal health,

veterinary public health and animal welfare

world-wide: i.e. OIE Mandate = Animal

health + Veterinary Public health + Animal

welfare

• Set objectives to guide the mandate

• Mandate implemented through Standards

9

1. Transparency: Ensure

transparency in reporting

the global animal disease

situation

2. Scientific information:

Collect, analyse and

disseminate veterinary

scientific information

3. International solidarity:

Encourage international

solidarity in the control of

animal diseases

Objectives of the OIE

4. Sanitary safety: Safeguard

world trade by publishing

health standards for inter-

national trade in animals

and animal products

5. Promotion of veterinary

services: Improve the legal

framework and resources

of national Vet. Services

6. Food safety and animal

welfare: To provide a better

guarantee of food of ani-

mal origin and to promote

animal welfare through a

science-based approach

1010

OIE Standards

• Set of agreed rules, which are objective, fair and

based on science.

• based on most recent scientific and technical

information.

• used by MC to protect themselves from the

introduction of diseases and pathogens, without

setting up unjustified sanitary barriers.

• made by the OIE Scientific Commissions (experts)

world wide, and adopted by the OIE World

Assembly of Delegates (Directors of Veterinary

Services for member countries)

1111

OIE Standards

• Any MC can initiate a new standard (s) or its

review, through their OIE Delegate (Director of

VS)

• All MC are treated equally – they contribute and

if necessary vote for on a 1 country 1 vote system,

therefore standards are fair (no bias)

1212

OIE Standards

• Standards are found in the;

• Terrestrial Animal Health Code

• Manual of Diagnostic Tests and Vaccines for Terrestrial

Animals

• Aquatic Animal Health Code

• Manual of Diagnostic Tests for Aquatic Animals.

1313

OIE Standards

14

14

International Standard-Setting Organizations(3-sisters)

food safetyCODEX

plant healthIPPC

animal health/zoonoses

OIE

OIE StandardsSPS Agreement

The OIE is recognised internationally, including by the World Trade Organisation

(WTO), Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) Agreement as the International

Standard setting body for Animal health, Welfare and Veterinary Public

Health (Zoonosis)

1515

OIE Standards – Animal Health

1616

OIE Standards – Animal Health

1717

OIE Standards - Animal welfare

Section Animal welfare

Chapter 7.1. Introduction to the recommendations for animal welfare

Chapter 7.2. Transport of animals by sea

Chapter 7.3. Transport of animals by land

Chapter 7.4. Transport of animals by air

Chapter 7.5. Slaughter of animals

Chapter 7.6.Killing of animals for disease control purposes

Chapter 7.7. Stray dog population control

Chapter 7.8.Use of animals in research and education

Chapter 7.9.Animal welfare and beef cattle production systems

Chapter 7.10.

Animal welfare and broiler chicken production systems

1818

OIE Standards- Veterinary Public Health

Chapter 6.1. The role of the Veterinary Services in food safety

Chapter 6.2.Control of biological hazards of animal health and public health importance through

ante- and post-mortem meat inspection

Chapter 6.3.The control of hazards of animal health and public health importance in animal feed

Chapter 6.4. Biosecurity procedures in poultry production

Chapter 6.5. Prevention, detection and control of Salmonella in poultry

Chapter 6.6. Introduction to the recommendations for controlling antimicrobial resistance

Chapter 6.7. Harmonisation of national antimicrobial resistance surveillance and monitoring

programmes

Chapter 6.8. Monitoring of the quantities and usage patterns of antimicrobial agents used in food-

producing animals

Chapter 6.9.Responsible and prudent use of antimicrobial agents in veterinary medicine

Chapter 6.10. Risk analysis for antimicrobial resistance arising from the use of antimicrobials in

animals

Chapter 6.11. Zoonoses transmissible from non-human primates

1919

Benefit of OIE standards

• Major TADs controlled or eradicated (Rinderpest)

• Disease free areas (countries or zones within countries)

• Enhanced value of animals

• Improved Market Access (Trade facilitation)

• Benefit to farmer

20

2121

Benefit of OIE standards

• Production of safe commodities (animal products)

• Enhanced value of commodities

• Improved Market Access (Trade facilitation)

• Benefit to farmer

2222

Benefit of OIE standards

• Humane treatment (handling) of animals

• Reduction of unnecessary suffering to animals

• Improved Market Acceptability (Trade facilitation)

• Benefit to farmer

2323

Conclusion

• OIE standards help veterinary authorities and

farmers to control animal diseases; this in turn

improves the value of animals and their access to

national, regional and global markets – i.e.

improves the competitiveness of livestock and

their products.

• Farmers need to familiarize themselves more with

OIE standards and produce accordingly.

• Standards keep improving as the market place

develops according to consumer preferences –

producers need to keep up.

24

Thank you for your attention!

Thank you for

your attention