Pacific Animal Health and Production Framework to guide para-vets in the region

Suva

A first ever framework to help strengthen animal health and production systems in the region was developed by the Pacific Community (SPC), through national and regional consultations with stakeholders.

The Pacific Animal Health and Production Framework  (PAHPF) was developed in response to the Pacific Heads of Agriculture and Forestry Services meeting in 2019 that identified acute shortages of veterinary services and threats posed by zoonotic diseases to the livestock industry, as well as human health.

SPC Land Resources Division Director Karen Mapusua says the framework was a collaborative effort, the result of consultations with stakeholders in the livestock sector at both a country and regional level including technical expertise and funding from the Australia and New Zealand PHAMA-Plus Programme.

“SPC will play lead role in coordination for PAHPF implementation in collaboration with the Pacific Heads of Veterinary and Animal Productions Services and development partners to support full realisation of the priorities identified in the framework, said Mapusua.  “It is our hope that the PAHPF will provide the foundation for institutional strengthening of veterinary and animal production services and policy reforms, as well as guide investments and programmes required to strengthen livestock production and productivity.”

Livestock play an important role in socio-economic, environmental and food and nutrition security outcomes for many Pacific countries. Recent trade data on animal production shows the growing demand for livestock products and the high levels of imports is currently not matched by similar growth in local production. In 2019, Pacific Island States and Territories imported over 150 tonnes worth more than USD 450 million of animal products. This number continues to steadily increase. 

“An added challenge is the lack of veterinary support systems resulting in lack of functional surveillance systems,” SPC Animal Health and Production officer, Elenoa Salele said. “Most countries rely on external veterinary service providers that are often costly and inefficient.”

The framework will require a strong coordination at all levels from programme design, planning, implementation and monitoring and reporting of activities. These include capacity building, and communication and information sharing.

A knowledge management system will be developed to support ongoing knowledge discovery, management, and dissemination of information to stakeholders at all levels to support networking, scaling of lessons across countries and to support monitoring of livestock production trends in countries. Guidelines to support documentation of good practices and information sharing will be developed and promoted in countries as well.

Media contacts:
Dr Sripad Sosale, Animal Health and Production Advisor, Land Resources Division, Pacific Community (SPC) | E: [email protected]
Elenoa Salele, Animal Health and Production Technical Officer, Land Resources Division I E: [email protected] 
Jamie Kemsey, LRD Communications Head | E: [email protected]

News Category
Media Release
0
Countries

Author(s)

Displaying 1 - 4 of 4
2176
Animal Health and Production
1434
Land Resources
2176
Animal Health and Production
1434
Land Resources
Media Release
Media Release
Fiji
Fiji