VET-GOV Livestock Consultative Stakeholders Worksop in Sierra Leone

In collaboration with the AU-IBAR, the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Food Security and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS); the National Consultative Multidisciplinary Stakeholders Workshop on the establishment of Livestock Policy Hub (LPH) took place from the 24th – 26th September 2013, in Freetown, Sierra Leone. It was attended by 40 participants representing stakeholders including senior staff of state and non-state actors (Government, Civil Society Organizations, Community Based Organizations, Private Sector Organizations, the National Livestock Policy Focal Point (NLPFP) and AU-IBAR VET-GOV Program staff.

The overall objective of the workshop is to provide a better understanding of the VET-GOV program, paving the way to the improvement of the livestock sector through related policies, animal health strategies and veterinary legislations in the ECOWAS region.

Image removed.© 2013 AU-IBAR. The workshop deliberations.The workshop specific objectives are: to introduce and create awareness for the VET-GOV programs; to clarify activities that have taken place since the start of the VET-GOV program; to clarify the concept and agree on the Terms of Reference for the Livestock Policy Hub; to identify possible members and structure of the Policy Hub; to validate country entry points; and to identify and deliberate on possible partnerships that can be established with relevant institutions and organizations.

Honorable Madam Marie Jalloh, Deputy Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Food Security welcomed all participants and said that livestock is very strategic for the overall food security of Sierra Leone and emphasized how Sierra Leone is in full support of such policy workshops and she declared the workshop officially opened for deliberations.

The workshop came up with the following recommendations:

  • Establishment and operationalization of the National Livestock Policy Hub.
  • Inclusion of Livestock in CAADP Process.
  • Follow up on the livestock component of the four major sub-programmes of the National Sustainable Agricultural Plan.
  • Involve all stakeholders on the process of livestock policy review and development and initiate a process for policy legalization.
  • Developing and enforcing a comprehensive livestock regulations and operational rules and mechanism of enforcement.
  • Promoting and strengthening a participatory livestock extension services to harmonize services provision and coordinate livestock data collection.