1. The Regional Animal Health Center for Southern Africa
Susanne Münstermann.
Bonaventure J. Mtei.
Comments:
Good Governance for Veterinary Services.
Sebele I Gaborone I Botswana
January 16 – 18, 2008

2. Contents Events leading to the creation of RAHC
The international partners : OIE and FAO
The continental partners, i.e. IBAR
The Regional Economic Communities
Legal status, funding and activities
The general situation in Africa
The specific situation in Southern Africa
Conclusions
1- Trade safety:
IVC is the basis of trade. Reliable IVC needs, in particular, early detection of animal diseases and reliable chain of information and command - from the farm to the export point. “Without good VS, all ICVs are only paper”
2- VS complying with international standards (and on a general basis implementation of international standards) allow improvement of domestic animal health, thus increased and safer animal and food production, in line with decrease of malnutrition and poverty

3. Events leading up to the establishment of RAHC
2003 Appearance of pandemic H5N1 type notifiable Highly pathogenic avian influenza in south-eastern Asia.
2004 Establishment of the Global Framework for the progressive control of Trans-boundary Animal Diseases (TAD).
2006 Highly pathogenic avian influenza reaches Africa.
1- Trade safety:
IVC is the basis of trade. Reliable IVC needs, in particular, early detection of animal diseases and reliable chain of information and command - from the farm to the export point. “Without good VS, all ICVs are only paper”
2- VS complying with international standards (and on a general basis implementation of international standards) allow improvement of domestic animal health, thus increased and safer animal and food production, in line with decrease of malnutrition and poverty

4. Events leading up to the establishment of RAHC
The Global Framework for the progressive control of Trans-boundary Animal Diseases (TAD).
signed in May 2004
GF-TAD is :
A joint FAO/OIE initiative, which combines the strengths of both organizations to achieve agreed common objectives.
A facilitating mechanism which endeavors to empower regional alliance in the fight against Trans-boundary animal diseases (TADs), to provide for capacity building and to assist in establishing programmes for the specific control of certain TADs based on regional priorities.
1- Trade safety:
IVC is the basis of trade. Reliable IVC needs, in particular, early detection of animal diseases and reliable chain of information and command - from the farm to the export point. “Without good VS, all ICVs are only paper”
2- VS complying with international standards (and on a general basis implementation of international standards) allow improvement of domestic animal health, thus increased and safer animal and food production, in line with decrease of malnutrition and poverty

5. Events leading up to the establishment of RAHC
The Global Framework for the progressive control of Trans-boundary Animal Diseases (TAD).
signed in May 2004
GF-TAD intends to contribute to :
Safeguarding the livestock industry of developed as well as developing countries from repeated incursions of infectious disease epidemics,
Improving food security and economic growth of developing countries through the reduction of the damaging effects of epidemic animal diseases,
Promoting safe trade in livestock and animal products at national, regional and international levels.
1- Trade safety:
IVC is the basis of trade. Reliable IVC needs, in particular, early detection of animal diseases and reliable chain of information and command - from the farm to the export point. “Without good VS, all ICVs are only paper”
2- VS complying with international standards (and on a general basis implementation of international standards) allow improvement of domestic animal health, thus increased and safer animal and food production, in line with decrease of malnutrition and poverty

6. Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza
Events leading up to the establishment of RAHC
Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza
Introduced in Africa in January 2006
Improvised collaboration was kick-started after the first outbreaks of avian influenza in northern Nigeria (February 2006).
Desperate need for guidance at country level on technical, organisational and financial issues, both for infected countries, and countries at risk in West and Central Africa.
The technical expertise of FAO and OIE was pooled, together with that of AU-IBAR and led to the establishment of the first RAHC, located in Bamako, Mali in April 2006
1- Trade safety:
IVC is the basis of trade. Reliable IVC needs, in particular, early detection of animal diseases and reliable chain of information and command - from the farm to the export point. “Without good VS, all ICVs are only paper”
2- VS complying with international standards (and on a general basis implementation of international standards) allow improvement of domestic animal health, thus increased and safer animal and food production, in line with decrease of malnutrition and poverty

8. Rationale for the establishment of RAHC
Immediate / short term
Coordinating avian influenza related actions between international and continental implementing agencies
Mid and long term
Putting the GF-Tads Agreement to work at regional and sub-regional level
1- Trade safety:
IVC is the basis of trade. Reliable IVC needs, in particular, early detection of animal diseases and reliable chain of information and command - from the farm to the export point. “Without good VS, all ICVs are only paper”
2- VS complying with international standards (and on a general basis implementation of international standards) allow improvement of domestic animal health, thus increased and safer animal and food production, in line with decrease of malnutrition and poverty

9. What is a Regional Animal Health Center ?
It’s a new concept whereby
international technical agencies share
their mandates and pool resources to
help prevent and control
transboundary animal diseases,
with particular reference to
highly pathogenic avian influenza.
1- Trade safety:
IVC is the basis of trade. Reliable IVC needs, in particular, early detection of animal diseases and reliable chain of information and command - from the farm to the export point. “Without good VS, all ICVs are only paper”
2- VS complying with international standards (and on a general basis implementation of international standards) allow improvement of domestic animal health, thus increased and safer animal and food production, in line with decrease of malnutrition and poverty

10. In GF-TAD terminology, on all continents,
Continental partners
In GF-TAD terminology, on all continents,
Regional Specialised Organisations (RSO)
participate in the set-up of
Sub-Regional Support Units (RSU) 
Regional Animal Health Centers (RAHC)
1- Trade safety:
IVC is the basis of trade. Reliable IVC needs, in particular, early detection of animal diseases and reliable chain of information and command - from the farm to the export point. “Without good VS, all ICVs are only paper”
2- VS complying with international standards (and on a general basis implementation of international standards) allow improvement of domestic animal health, thus increased and safer animal and food production, in line with decrease of malnutrition and poverty
These continental partner-agencies provide technical expertise and contribute financially to the RAHC.

11. Continental partners : the African Union
Regional Specialised Organisation
African Union agency :
INTER-AFRICAN BUREAU FOR ANIMAL RESOURCES
Nairobi, Kenya
1- Trade safety:
IVC is the basis of trade. Reliable IVC needs, in particular, early detection of animal diseases and reliable chain of information and command - from the farm to the export point. “Without good VS, all ICVs are only paper”
2- VS complying with international standards (and on a general basis implementation of international standards) allow improvement of domestic animal health, thus increased and safer animal and food production, in line with decrease of malnutrition and poverty

12. Role of the Regional Economic Communities
Regional Animal Health Centers can be considered as ‘service providers’ to the Regional Economic Communities (REC).
Regional Economic Communities are represented in the steering committee of RAHC’s, regularly providing political and strategic guidance to the implementing agencies, in line with continental and international objectives and standards.
Regional Economic Communities may provide additional (technical, logistic and financial) inputs, either directly or through member countries or the host-country.
1- Trade safety:
IVC is the basis of trade. Reliable IVC needs, in particular, early detection of animal diseases and reliable chain of information and command - from the farm to the export point. “Without good VS, all ICVs are only paper”
2- VS complying with international standards (and on a general basis implementation of international standards) allow improvement of domestic animal health, thus increased and safer animal and food production, in line with decrease of malnutrition and poverty

13. Legal status and funding of the RAHC
Regional Animal Health Centers are not to be regarded as institutions.
They are merely a coordination mechanism, whereby each partner organisation maintains its core activities and financial independence.
Additionally, they may submit joint proposals to implement or support activities in the area of animal health which have a regional dimension (therefore, foremost trans-boundary diseases).
1- Trade safety:
IVC is the basis of trade. Reliable IVC needs, in particular, early detection of animal diseases and reliable chain of information and command - from the farm to the export point. “Without good VS, all ICVs are only paper”
2- VS complying with international standards (and on a general basis implementation of international standards) allow improvement of domestic animal health, thus increased and safer animal and food production, in line with decrease of malnutrition and poverty

14. Joint activities of the RAHC
Joint activities are based on a separation of tasks and identification of synergies, as agreed between OIE and FAO and must produce added value to the collaboration between OIE and FAO.
1- Trade safety:
IVC is the basis of trade. Reliable IVC needs, in particular, early detection of animal diseases and reliable chain of information and command - from the farm to the export point. “Without good VS, all ICVs are only paper”
2- VS complying with international standards (and on a general basis implementation of international standards) allow improvement of domestic animal health, thus increased and safer animal and food production, in line with decrease of malnutrition and poverty

15. Good Farming Practices Guidelines and Strategies
Good Farming Practices & Strategies
Animal Health Standards and Guidelines setting and Adoption
Standards and Guidelines Setting
Expertise on Animal Health
Expertise
Official Disease Information
Animal Disease Information and Intelligence
Disease Tracking
Disease intelligence
Animal Health Publications
Technical and Scientific Publications
Global
Capacity Building Programmes on Animal Health on standards and guidelines implementation
Regional
National
Global
Development programmes on Animal Health
Regional
National
Expertise for Development Programmes on Animal Health
Expertise for Development Programmes on Animal Health

16. Joint activities of the RAHC
Joint activities are based on a separation of tasks and identification of synergies, as agreed between OIE and FAO and must produce added value to the collaboration between OIE and FAO.
For the time being, focus remains on highly pathogenic avian influenza (FAO) and on the strengthening of veterinary services (OIE), including good governance and capacity building.
Continental inputs (IBAR) focus on area-wide (regional) disease control strategies (mainly HPAI), harmonisation of legislation and livestock policies, including capacity building and information management and dissemination.
1- Trade safety:
IVC is the basis of trade. Reliable IVC needs, in particular, early detection of animal diseases and reliable chain of information and command - from the farm to the export point. “Without good VS, all ICVs are only paper”
2- VS complying with international standards (and on a general basis implementation of international standards) allow improvement of domestic animal health, thus increased and safer animal and food production, in line with decrease of malnutrition and poverty

17. Expected 2008 in Africa and the Middle-East
West and Central Africa
Middle East
Southern Africa
North Africa
East Africa
1- Trade safety:
IVC is the basis of trade. Reliable IVC needs, in particular, early detection of animal diseases and reliable chain of information and command - from the farm to the export point. “Without good VS, all ICVs are only paper”
2- VS complying with international standards (and on a general basis implementation of international standards) allow improvement of domestic animal health, thus increased and safer animal and food production, in line with decrease of malnutrition and poverty

18. Partnerships : hosting institutions (secretariat)?
1- Trade safety:
IVC is the basis of trade. Reliable IVC needs, in particular, early detection of animal diseases and reliable chain of information and command - from the farm to the export point. “Without good VS, all ICVs are only paper”
2- VS complying with international standards (and on a general basis implementation of international standards) allow improvement of domestic animal health, thus increased and safer animal and food production, in line with decrease of malnutrition and poverty

19. Southern Africa : where do we stand today ?
The OIE Sub-Regional Representation for Southern
Africa established in Gaborone since late 2005.
The FAO Sub-regional ECTAD antenna established
since mid-2007 and operational modalities agreed
between FAO Harare (SAFR), FAO Johannesburg
(RIACSO) and FAO Gaborone (ECTAD).
Draft Memorandum of Understanding under review
by the constituting partner organisations and
stakeholders (SADC-Secretariat)
1- Trade safety:
IVC is the basis of trade. Reliable IVC needs, in particular, early detection of animal diseases and reliable chain of information and command - from the farm to the export point. “Without good VS, all ICVs are only paper”
2- VS complying with international standards (and on a general basis implementation of international standards) allow improvement of domestic animal health, thus increased and safer animal and food production, in line with decrease of malnutrition and poverty

20. Southern Africa : OIE core activities
… previous presentation on
‘Capacity building activities of the OIE Sub-Regional Representation under the framework of the SADC-EU / OIE Agreement’
1- Trade safety:
IVC is the basis of trade. Reliable IVC needs, in particular, early detection of animal diseases and reliable chain of information and command - from the farm to the export point. “Without good VS, all ICVs are only paper”
2- VS complying with international standards (and on a general basis implementation of international standards) allow improvement of domestic animal health, thus increased and safer animal and food production, in line with decrease of malnutrition and poverty

21. Southern Africa : FAO core activities
FAO component within the SADC – FMD Project (EC funded) to contribute to the development of the regional TAD control strategy
FAO component within the SADC – TAD Project (AfDB funded)
Response to requests from SADC Member States as and when then need arises (e.g. ASF in Mauritius).
Facilitate the SADC JTC meetings
Facilitate the SADC Laboratory Sub-Committee meetings
Facilitate the SADC Epidemiology and Informatics Sub-Committee meetings
with focus on avian influenza
1- Trade safety:
IVC is the basis of trade. Reliable IVC needs, in particular, early detection of animal diseases and reliable chain of information and command - from the farm to the export point. “Without good VS, all ICVs are only paper”
2- VS complying with international standards (and on a general basis implementation of international standards) allow improvement of domestic animal health, thus increased and safer animal and food production, in line with decrease of malnutrition and poverty

22. Southern Africa : Joint activities
Following the FAO’s financial support to the organisation of the first meeting of the SADC Joint Technical Committee on Regional Preparedness and Prevention of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (Tanzania, September 2007), the JTC recommended that the RAHC coordinate regional HPAI activities on behalf of SADC.
Two concept papers that resulted from this JTC meeting have been submitted to some donor agencies for funding.
OIE may possibly fund the second JTC meeting in March/April 2008.
Other programme proposals are underway with regard to Rift Valley Fever preparedness and rabies control in Southern Africa
1- Trade safety:
IVC is the basis of trade. Reliable IVC needs, in particular, early detection of animal diseases and reliable chain of information and command - from the farm to the export point. “Without good VS, all ICVs are only paper”
2- VS complying with international standards (and on a general basis implementation of international standards) allow improvement of domestic animal health, thus increased and safer animal and food production, in line with decrease of malnutrition and poverty

23. Southern Africa : current staff on-site
Sub-Regional Representative
EDF
Programme Officer
France
Regional Manager ECTAD
Emergency Livestock Officer
RIACSO
Administrative and Financial Officer
1- Trade safety:
IVC is the basis of trade. Reliable IVC needs, in particular, early detection of animal diseases and reliable chain of information and command - from the farm to the export point. “Without good VS, all ICVs are only paper”
2- VS complying with international standards (and on a general basis implementation of international standards) allow improvement of domestic animal health, thus increased and safer animal and food production, in line with decrease of malnutrition and poverty

24. Southern Africa : expected staff by 2008 - 2009
Sub-Regional Representative
EDF
Deputy-Representative
USDA
Programme Officer
France
Administrative and Financial Officer
Regional Manager ECTAD
Emergency Livestock Officer
RIACSO
National Project Assistant
Regional Coordinator A.I.
SPINAP
1- Trade safety:
IVC is the basis of trade. Reliable IVC needs, in particular, early detection of animal diseases and reliable chain of information and command - from the farm to the export point. “Without good VS, all ICVs are only paper”
2- VS complying with international standards (and on a general basis implementation of international standards) allow improvement of domestic animal health, thus increased and safer animal and food production, in line with decrease of malnutrition and poverty

25. In conclusion….
The RAHC for Southern Africa should be considered as the entry-point for concerted efforts by technical agencies and donors in contributing to the control of trans-boundary animal diseases in the SADC region.
1- Trade safety:
IVC is the basis of trade. Reliable IVC needs, in particular, early detection of animal diseases and reliable chain of information and command - from the farm to the export point. “Without good VS, all ICVs are only paper”
2- VS complying with international standards (and on a general basis implementation of international standards) allow improvement of domestic animal health, thus increased and safer animal and food production, in line with decrease of malnutrition and poverty

26. Contacts Bonaventure Mtei b.mtei@oie.int srr.southern-africa@oie.int
Susanne Münstermann
1- Trade safety:
IVC is the basis of trade. Reliable IVC needs, in particular, early detection of animal diseases and reliable chain of information and command - from the farm to the export point. “Without good VS, all ICVs are only paper”
2- VS complying with international standards (and on a general basis implementation of international standards) allow improvement of domestic animal health, thus increased and safer animal and food production, in line with decrease of malnutrition and poverty

27. www.alive-online.org www.fao.org
Information
1- Trade safety:
IVC is the basis of trade. Reliable IVC needs, in particular, early detection of animal diseases and reliable chain of information and command - from the farm to the export point. “Without good VS, all ICVs are only paper”
2- VS complying with international standards (and on a general basis implementation of international standards) allow improvement of domestic animal health, thus increased and safer animal and food production, in line with decrease of malnutrition and poverty