About Animal Health & Production
Animal
Health & Production
In keeping with the objectives of LRD Strategic Plan the focus of AHP has broadened to include the development of livestock production within the physical, economic and social constraints of Pacific Island countries and territories.
The AHP programme aims to reduce the economic and public health impact of animal diseases in PICTs through:
providing technical support, information, training and advice in animal health and production field,
and
integrating Animal Health and Production activities into the overall work of SPC’s agriculture program within the newly created Land Resources Division of SPC.
AHP will work to achieve the following objectives:
Strategic Objective 1: Sustainable management of integrated forest and agricultural systems
Objective 1.1: Sustainable forestry and agricultural policies, legislation and plans developed
Members of the AHP team have participated in numerous meetings such as those held by the Fiji Plan of Action for Nutrition, National Advisory Committee, to develop policies. Participation at such meetings has allowed the SPC to assist with the development of policies which will have an impact on efforts to improve nutrition at a national level.
The AHP team have also assisted in the development of national Animal Genetic Resource policies through their participation in the FAO Animal Genetic Resource project activities.
Objective 1.2: Develop and promote sustainable forestry and agriculture management and production practices
Training of Para-veterinarians in Pacific Island Countries and Territories
Training of Para-veterinarians in Pacific Island Countries and Territories
 Many PICTs have significant livestock numbers, which is crucial to the social, cultural and economic livelihoods of the people. However, the current shortage of qualified veterinarians and animal production specialists in PICTs has resulted in huge production losses, due to livestock diseases, and increased health risks to people from exposure to animal diseases. The Para-veterinary (PARAVET) Training Project was established to develop skills in animal health and production at the sub-professional level, to compensate for this shortage.
The project will provide countries with the expertise to address disease outbreaks, production constraints and to establish surveillance systems to prevent the introduction of exotic livestock diseases.
The current Regional PARAVET Training Project represents Phase 2 of the project. The development of the introductory or basic module (Phase 1) was completed in 2001 and has been successfully piloted in Samoa in 2003. Phase 2, which provides for the development and delivery of a further five modules, began with the recruitment of the Animal Health and Production Training Specialist (AHPTS) at the beginning of November 2002.
The implementation of the introductory or basic module (Phase 3, which is partially funded by the Government of Taiwan (ROC), SPC core and NZAID funds is being implemented at the same time as Phase 2.
ACIAR Project SMCN/2001/038: Management of animal waste to improve the productivity of Pacific farming systems (Animal Waste Management)
Piggery design workshops have been held in Fiji, Tuvalu and Tonga. At the workshops communities in association with project staff determined the features they believed were needed in pig pens and associated waste disposal systems. Using a cooperative approach the communities developed and produced designs. Design workshops focussed on the production of designs that can be build using local skills and materials and that are within the financial capacities of families. The communities will meet again to examine and modify the designs to ensure they meet labour availability as well as environmental requirements.
The AHS laboratory facilities were upgraded to put in place the equipment required to carry out faecal coliform testing of water samples.
Objective 1.3 Biodiversity and genetic resources conserved, developed and promoted.
Development of genetic resources
Assistance was provided for the first ever export of Fiji Fantastic sheep
This breed of sheep was developed in Fiji over the last 25 years to be adapted to Pacific island conditions. In 2004, a consignment of 44 sheep left Fiji bound for Samoa but many more arrived as some ewes lambed on the ship. The whole exercise was deemed an unqualified success with all sheep surviving the journey. Further assistance was given by AHPTS in providing husbandry and health training for agriculture staff in Samoa during a subsequent visit. A similar export of sheep is planned for Tonga in 2005 and the AHP will provide similar assistance if requested.
A follow-up mission to Samoa was carried out in December 2004 to advise Samoa Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Forests and Meteorology on the husbandry and management of the national sheep flock.
Strategic Objective 2: Improved biosecurity and trade facilitation
Output 2.1 or Objective 2.1: National capacity to comply with international and regional standards related to trade strengthened
Activity: Provide technical support on animal health issues associated with trade and public health
Activities towards
Output 2.1or (Objective 2.1) will continue to concentrate on capacity building in the countries of the Pacific and the provision of an advisory service. To achieve Output 1 (or Objective 1), support will be provided to PICTs to facilitate development of trade in animals and animal products and reduce the impact of livestock diseases of public health importance. In particular activities will focus on increasing the capacity of PICTs to carry out their own animal health surveillance and risk analysis making use of and building on the data collected as part of animal health surveillance.
Output 2.4 or Objective 2.4: Improved information available on plant and animal health status in PICTs
Activity: The provision of an information system to support all SPC animal health and production activities
AHP groups currently work in a number of media including a web site, an animal health database (PAHIS), several mailing lists (pacvet, paravet, ), paper publications, posters and other publicity material. There is constant need to improve and update the service to provide an improved information system for the various stakeholders in the field of animal health and production throughout the Pacific Region.
For more information, please contact
KenC@spc.int,
Animal Health and Production Adviser
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