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 – |
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:
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 |
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