Event Date: July 23-25, 2024
Location: Lusaka, Zambia
AU-IBAR, under the auspices of the African Union Commission, is gearing up to attend the Second Meeting of the Standing Group of Experts (SGE) on Contagious Bovine Pleuropneumonia (CBPP) of the Global Framework for the Progressive Control of Transboundary Animal Diseases (GF-TADs) for Africa. This event will take place from July 23-25, 2024, in Lusaka, Zambia. This meeting is crucial as CBPP remains a major threat to cattle health and productivity across Africa. With the disease's prevalence increasing, effective control measures are imperative for safeguarding livestock, securing livelihoods, and ensuring food security. The event will bring together experts and stakeholders to share knowledge, coordinate efforts, and develop robust strategies to combat CBPP, enhancing the region's ability to manage this debilitating disease.
Understanding CBPP and the SGE-CBPP
Contagious Bovine Pleuropneumonia (CBPP), a severe lung disease in cattle caused by Mycoplasma mycoides subsp. mycoides, continues to pose significant challenges for cattle owners throughout Africa. With outbreaks reported in around 18 countries, CBPP has become increasingly widespread. Currently, only Botswana, Eswatini, South Africa, and Namibia are officially free from CBPP. Namibia and Zambia are the only countries with a World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) endorsed official control program for CBPP. Controlling CBPP is complex due to its chronic nature, safety concerns of meat products, the extensive use of antibiotics, and the limited effectiveness of available vaccines. The Standing Group of Experts on CBPP for Africa, established in June 2023, promotes the regular exchange of information and best practices among national veterinary authorities, international experts, and the private sector. This initiative was born from a six-day consultation with all member states, based on the Terms of Reference endorsed by the 11th Regional Steering Committee (RSC-11) of the GF-TADs for Africa in June 2022. CBPP was identified as one of the five priority diseases under the GF-TADs Regional Strategy 2021-2025.
The SGE-CBPP Africa aims to strengthen regional cooperation and dialogue on CBPP control in Africa through regular information exchange, technical support for reviewing national and regional CBPP control strategies, and technical formulation of disease control policies. The group will enhance collaboration on laboratory diagnosis, applied research, awareness-raising campaigns, cross-border surveillance, and risk management measures along the beef and dairy value chains. The SGE-CBPP is composed of experts from various sectors, including veterinary services, academia, research institutions, NGOs, and the private sector. The group reports to the GF-TADs Regional Steering Committee for Africa and liaises with other GF-TADs regional platforms working on CBPP. These meetings are rotational and are held at least once a year.
Meeting Attendees
The upcoming meeting will see participation from a diverse group of representatives, including Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (Zambia), FAO-RAF, WOAH RRAF, AU-PANVAC, Regional Economic Communities (RECs) – ECOWAS, COMESA, SADC, ECCAS, IGAD/ICPALD, Member States: Chad, Nigeria, Somalia, representatives from AfDB, World Bank, national CBPP technical experts, and subject-matter experts from recognized international and regional CBPP and/or cattle disease organizations, and AU-IBAR. Dr. Huyam Salih, Director of AU-IBAR, will deliver a keynote speech on behalf of the Commissioner of Agriculture, Rural Development, Blue Economy, and Sustainable Development (ARBE).
About GF-TADs
Launched on May 24, 2004, the Global Framework for the Progressive Control of Transboundary Animal Diseases (GF-TADs) is a collaborative initiative between FAO and WOAH. It focuses on preventing, detecting, and controlling transboundary animal diseases on a global scale. GF-TADs empowers regional alliances, provides capacity building, and establishes specific control programs based on regional priorities. The GF-TADs Global Secretariat, hosted by FAO, operates under the supervision of the GF-TADs Management Committee and receives strategic guidance from the GF-TADs Global Steering Committee.
Read on Standing Group of Experts on Contagious bovine pleuro-pneumonia for Africa
For more information on other AU-IBAR’s engagements with GF-TADs, please visit the following links
- [AU-IBAR Hosts 11th Regional Steering Committee Global Framework for the Control of Transboundary Animal Disease (GF-TADs) in Africa]
- [GF-TADs Africa Holds Coordination Meeting to Develop a Comprehensive PPR Continental Programme 2022-2027]
Picture: @VIDO
