High Level Panels

The GFFA 2018 once again included High Level Panels under the guidance of international organisations and institutions. The results of these meetings were incorporated into the subsequent Berlin Agriculture Ministers’ Conference and the final communiqué.

Overview of High Level Panels at the GFFA 2018

High Level Panel of the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE)

Animal Health and Welfare: Two cornerstones for the future of globally diversified livestock production

Experts in animal health and welfare management met for a high-level panel hosted by the OIE during the Global Forum for Food and Agriculture 2018, held in Berlin from 18-20 January, and organized by The Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture (BMEL). Within the framework of livestock production, this multi-stakeholder group composed of international, regional and national policy makers and government representatives tackled issues linked to policy-making, climate stewardship and societal needs. The panel acknowledged animal health and welfare as two cornerstones for the global transition to sustainable, responsible and efficient livestock production models, and OIE International Standards as key components in achieving a stronger, more resilient livestock production.

During the round-table, ‘Animal Health and Welfare: Two cornerstones for the future of globally diversified livestock production’, hosted by Monique Eloit, Director General of the OIE, targeted discussions identified four essential elements required for animal health and welfare to become a base for the management of livestock production worldwide.

In their conclusions, the panelists highlighted:

1. That it is crucial for public decision-makers to commit to encouraging donors and financial institutions to support programmes aimed at improving animal health and welfare;

2. That every effort should be made:

– to promote compliance with international standards relating to animal health and welfare, for trade purposes as well as for designing national strategies;

– to ensure the best possible transparency of epidemiological information on the emergence of animal diseases, by immediately notifying such information via the OIE World Animal Health Information System (WAHIS);

– to contribute to the proper implementation of global strategies for the control of animal diseases, while keeping in mind the need for prudent use of veterinary medicinal products, especially antimicrobials; and

– to encourage a greater respect of animals, as it is a positive component of sustainable production systems.

3. They also noted that the practical fulfilment of these commitments requires a coordinated approach between the partner international organisations, such as the Tripartite collaboration established between WHO, FAO and the OIE.

4. Lastly, the panellists strongly emphasised that the success of any actions in favour of the livestock sector can only be assured if they are accompanied by capacity-building programmes for national Veterinary Authorities aimed at the sustainable resilience and efficiency of these services.

Based on these conclusions and on those of the second high-level panel hosted by the European Union, approximately 70 Ministers of Agriculture gathered at the Ministers’ Conference on Saturday, 20 January published a common communiqué on: “Shaping the Future of Livestock – sustainably, responsibly, efficiently”.

FACILITATOR

Name	Function	Organisation
Dr. Monique Eloit	OIE Director General	World Organisation for Animal Health

PANELLISTS

Name	Function	Organisation	Country
Dr Vytenis Andriukaitis	Commissioner for Health and Food Safety	European Commission
Dr Javier Ernesto Suárez Hurtado	Executive Director General of the National Service for Agricultural Health and Food Safety	Ministry of Rural Development and Lands	Bolivia
Dr Christianne Bruschke	Chief Veterinary Officer	Ministry of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality	The Netherlands
Mr Vladimir Olegovich Rakhmanin	Assistant Director-General and Regional Representative for Europe and Central Asia	Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations	FAO
Dr Christiane Wolff	Counsellor, Agriculture and Commodities Division	World Trade Organization	Switzerland
Mrs Maty Ba Diao	Regional PRAPS Coordinator	CILSS Executive Secretariat	Burkina Faso
Dr Martin Cooke	International Head of Corporate Engagement	World Animal Protection	United Kingdom
Mr Ben Dellaert	Chairman	International Egg Commission	IEC- United Kingdom Chairperson –

High Level Panel of the European Commission

The Future of Livestock production

Conclusions:
High Level Panel hosted by the European Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Phil Hogan
19 January 2018, City CUBE, Berlin

A High Level Ministerial Panel was organised by the European Commission at the invitation of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture. The event, hosted by the by the European Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Phil HOGAN benefited from the participation of the Minister of Agriculture and Water Development, Zambia, Dora Siliya, Minister for Agriculture and Forestry, New Zealand, Damian O’ Connor, Director General of FAO, José Graziano da Silva and Jimmy Smith, Director General at ILRI, Nairobi, Kenia. Approximately 350 participants attended the event: politicians and researchers, agri-businesses and farmer’s organisations, international organisations and NGOs.

Broad areas of agreement:

Economic factor of animal production for rural regions. The livestock sector is highly dynamic and contributes 40% to the agricultural GDP in developed countries. Overall demand for all animal source foods in all regions of the world is rising, most likely faster than the grow of the world population.
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Livestock contributes directly to eight SDGs No poverty (1), zero hunger (2), good health and well-being (3), gender equality (5), decent work and economic growth (8), responsible consumption and production (12), climate action (13) and life on land (15).
The future of livestock production has to integrate climate policy goals. The livestock sector is a key player for the reduction of the global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from agriculture. More investments in research, innovation and in resource efficient smart technologies need to be done to reduce GHG emissions worldwide. Sustainable intensification will be an important factor to reduce GHG emissions per unit of animal product (or simpler: lt of milk or kg of meat). At the same time, animal production has to react to possible negative impacts by climate change.
Livestock guarantees high value animal protein from feedstuffs that are not usable for direct human consumption. Innovation in farm management and breeding are the basis continuing improvements in using feed resources efficiently. There is a need to encourage the implementation of modern, resource efficient animal husbandry systems that meets high animal welfare and environmental standards
Animal health risks require international cooperation in controlling diseases and ensuring trade in animals and animal products. Climatic variables like variations in temperature and rainfall are increasingly affecting the occurrence of infectious diseases. Antimicrobial Resistance is a challenge which needs global cooperation, commitment and action of the agricultural, veterinary and public health sector. Investment in prevention in many cases is cheaper than the financial damage caused by diseases.

FACILITATOR

Name	Organisation
Peter Baader	European Commission – DG AGRI

PANELLISTS

Name	Function	Organisation
Phil Hogan	Commissioner for Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development	European Commission
Jimmy Smith	General Director	International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) Nairobi – Kenia
Prof. Dr. José Graziano da Silva	General Director	Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)
Damien O’Connor	Minister of Agriculture	New Zealand
Dora Siliya	Minister of Agriculture Zambia	Zambia