Member States of SADC agreed to harmonise veterinary legislations, which spur a collective actions on the prevention and control of transboundary animal diseases and zoonoses in the Region. In a regional seminar, held in Maseru, Lesotho, from 6th to 10th July 2015, Member States reached consensus to harmonise a veterinary legislation in animal disease control with a focus on PPR.
The regional seminar was organized by AU-IBAR/VET-GOV Programme and OIE to create the platform where SADC Member States can convene and deliberate on regional livestock issues and challenges that require regional remedies. The seminary drew over 35 participants from Angola, Botswana, DRC, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Seychelles, Swaziland, Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
Recognizing the importance of this platform, Hon. Mapalesa Mothokho, Minister of Agriculture and Food Security of the Government of the Kingdom of Lesotho underscored the fact that a harmonised veterinary legislation would herald a new era of cooperation in supporting of the Region’s livestock sector. He also noted that this agreement put the livestock sector at the frontline of SADC’s progression towards regional economic cooperation.
Dr Marosi Molomo, Director of Livestock Services from the Ministry of Livestock and Food Security of Lesotho, Drs Letshwenyo and Modisane from OIE, Dr Patrick Otto from FAO, Dr. Gaolathe Thobokwe from SADC secretariat and Dr Bruce Mukanda representing the Director of AU-IBAR have made important remarks during the official opening of the seminar.
AU-IBAR has been facilitating such like dialogues in SADC over the last two years through its VET-GOV Programme.