As part of the implementation of the VET-GOV Program, AU-IBAR in collaboration with WAEMU, OIE and FAO organized a benchmarking workshop on the harmonization of WAEMU veterinary legislation from 16th to 18th December 2014 in Dakar, Senegal.
The workshop was attended by chief veterinary officers from Ghana, Kenya, Senegal, Mauritania, Tunisia and Zimbabwe, representatives from RECs (COMESA, ECCAS and IGAD) and participants from AU-IBAR, OIE, and FAO. The Government of Senegal made all necessary administrative arrangements to facilitate the workshop organization in the best conditions possible.
The workshop was officially opened by Mr Cheikh Tidiane Diop, the Director of cabinet of the Ministry of Livestock and Animal Resources, Senegal, following remarks from Dr Baba Soumare representing the Director of AU-IBAR, Dr Martial Petitclerc representing the OIE and Dr Bouna Diop representing FAO.
The workshop built on the area of legislation harmonization and centered on the example of WAEMU in adopting common regional regulatory frameworks, which can be adapted and built on for animal health issues. This would enable a critical reflection on the successes and challenges, thereby generating good practices and lessons learnt for the rest of the continent.
The key outcome of the benchmarking workshop on the harmonization of WAEMU veterinary legislation was the greater understanding of the importance of regional harmonization of veterinary legislation. In addition:
- On the WAEMU Centralized Authorization System for veterinary medical products: strengths and weaknesses were shared, discussed and lessons drawn.
- Other ongoing initiatives (ECCAS/CEBEVIRHA, IGAD) were discussed and areas of enhancement identified.
- Veterinary legislation work of OIE and FAO was discussed and areas of synergies and complementarities identified.
- Concepts and approaches of development of a veterinary legislation at regional level were discussed.