Four years after Zambia and Saudi Arabia signed an agreement for the Southern African state to export about 1, 000, 000 goats and sheep annually, concerns of pathogens and the COVID 19 pandemic resulting in border closures and thwarted movements, remain unresolved.
Fisheries and livestock minister Makozo Chikote said the programme may have to wait further after Zambia could not meet various international health benchmarks to transport livestock, chiefly goats. This compelled Zambia to look to donors and other players to assist safeguard livestock from diseases.
“The country could not go ahead with exporting goats to Saudi Arabia because we could not meet the international benchmarks but we are doing our best to ensure all livestock is disease free,” he said
Under the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) veterinary officials from the Middle East country had among other conditions demanded to know the status of abattoirs to be used in slaughtering the goats before being exported. Saudi Arabia have their own way in which they slaughter their animals and dispose of blood.
During inspection, the experts had then grade the environment while determining the distance between the abattoirs in Zambia from the town centers. Director of Ministry of Livestock and fisheries Dr. Chibwe Kaoma is cited as saying by local media. The team had come and inspected the abbatoirs.
All selected abattoirs were then directed to improve hygiene status which was done. The abattoirs took keen interest and committed to improving on the requirements to facilitate the resumption of exports. The situation was later compounded by COVID 19 outbreak and no goat has been exported.
“But it was unfortunate that the covid-19 cases increased, such that it brought about the closure of exports and imports. That led to the delay in the project. Currently the ministry is waiting for experts from Saudi Arabia to come, assess, and finally certify the abattoirs so that export of goats can start,” Banda is cited as saying.
Minister Chikote, however told FRA that the safety of animals remain a great concern for Zambia. The country has since teamed up with various players including the World Health Organisation for Animal Health-WOAH-with funding from Germany with both mobilizing and investing a staggering 1.5 Euro.
The funding will help prevent and control-trans-boundary diseases, among others, foot and mouth ailments, African swine fever and contagious bovine pleuropneumonia-CBPP, which have all claimed several animals in the country.
Efforts are also underway to train and equip the Veterinary workforce to effectively respond to various animal health emergencies that threaten household and national food and nutrition security is underway and helps many livestock farmers out of poverty.
Minister Chikote is optimistic the joint collaboration with players will help smallholder farmers in selected regions to increase food security and incomes through livestock rearing.
WOAH sub regional Representative for Southern Africa Moetapele Letshwenyo reaffirms the organisation’s commitment to help Zambia improve its livestock sector through addressing challenges affecting livestock productivity.
