USAID Launches a New Regional Livestock Project to Harmonize Animal Health Regulatory Systems in East Africa

Animal Health experts from across the Horn of Africa launched the new United States Agency for International Development’s (USAID)-supported Standard Methods and Procedures in Animal Health (SMP-Animal Health) project at a stakeholders’ workshop in Addis Ababa this week. The project strengthens coordination and harmonization of livestock disease prevention and control procedures in the Horn of Africa to promote regional and international trade in livestock and livestock products.

The meeting was convened by the African Union Inter-African Bureau for Animal Resources (AU-IBAR) with the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD). The workshop was attended by over 85 animal health experts in both the public and private sector in the East Africa region to promote the safe and sanitary trade of live animals and animal products, which will further promote economic growth, food security and good nutritional practices in the region.