Policy Document on Livestock in Malawi

Ministry of AgricuJture DEP ARTMENT OF ANIMAL HEAL TH AND LIVESTOCK DEVELOPMENT POLICY DOCUMENT ON LIVESTOCK IN MALA Wl MIN/SR I' OF AGR/CUL TURE DEPARTMENT OF ANIMAL HEALTH AND LIVESTOCK DEVELOPMENT P.O. BOX 1096 L/LONGWE TEL. NO 01 750 4551756 389 FAX NO. 01 751 349 E-mail: agric-dalti@sd11p.org.mw 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 i 1 i i 1 1 i Article l. TABLE OF CONTENTS Article 11. Contents Page Foreword ....................................................................... 1 Acronyms ....................................................................... 2 Acknowledgements ............................................................ 3 Chapter One: Introduction ................................................... 4 1 .1 The Li vestock Industry ................................................ 4 1.1.1 Livestock and their Populations ............................ .4 1.1.2 Constraints to Livestock Development ...................... .4 Chapter Two: The Department of Animal Health and Livestock Development .................................................................. 5 2.1 Vision of the Department ............................................. 6 2.2 Mission ofthe Department ................................................. 6 Chapter Three: Livestock Policy Document ............................ 6 3.1 Goal ofthe Policy ..................................................... 6 3.2 Objectives of the Policy ......... ...................................... 7 3 .3 Implementation of the Policy ......................................... 7 Chapter Four: Specific Policy Statements .............................. 8 4.1 Animal Production .................................................. 8 4.1.3 Livestock Breeding .................................. ............ 8 4.1.4 Dairy Production ................................................. 9 4.1.5 Beef Production .................................................. 9 4.1.6 Pig Production .................................................. 1 O 4.1. 7 Small Ruminant Production ................................... 1 O 4.1.8 Poultry Production .............................................. 10 4.1.9 Non-Conventional Livestock Production .................... 10 4.1.10 LivestockFeeds ................................................ 10 4.1.11 Animal Welfare and Housing ............................... 11 4.1.12 Livestock Marketing .......................................... 1 I 4.1.13 Hides and Skins Trade ........................................................................ 12 4.1.14 Game Ranching ............................................... 12 4.2 Livestock Security .................................................. 12 4.2.1.1 Livestock Identi:fication and Trading .................. 13 4.2.1.2 Livestock Movement Control. .......................... 13 4.3 Animal Health and Disease Control. ........................... 13 4.3.3 Trans-boundary Animal Disease Control.. ............. 14 4.3.4 Tick borne Diseases ......................................... 14 4.3.5 Tuberculosis (TB) Control. ............................... .15 4.3.6 Brucellosis Control.. ........................................ 15 4.3.7 Enzootic Bovine Leucosis (EBL) Control.. ............. .15 4.3.8 Rabies Control.. .............................................. 16 4.3.9 Newcastle Disease Control. ................................ 16 4.3.10 Emerging Diseases .......................................... 16 4.4 Veterinary Services Delivery .................................... 16 1 4.4.5 Supply and Delivery of Veterinary Services ............. 17 4.4.6 Veterinary Public Health ................................... 17 4.4.7 Veterinary Diagnostics ...................................... 17 4.5 Research ............................................................ 18 4.6 Import and Export of Animals .................................. 18 4.7 Cross Cutting Issues .............................................. 18 4.7.1 fIIV/AIDS ................................................... 19 4.7.2 Gender ........................................................ 19 4.7.3 Environment ................................................ 19 2 FOREWORD The development ofthe policy document on livestock in Malawi by the Department of Animal Health and Livestock Development (DAHLD) is an important by the Department. Toe document outlines key policy statements and guidelines on livestock issues in Malawi. Previous policy statements did not include the effects of improved livestock production on people's livelihoods and impact on poverty, bousehold food security and human nutrition. Therefore, the main objectives of this policy document are: • To respond effectively to tbe challenges of poverty reduction and improving rural livelihoods in Malawi. • To articulate the specific strategies and activities that shall boost livestock production. • To encourage and involve the various stakeholders in the livestock sector and in particular, the private sector ( commercial producers), Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs), Farmer Associations and Cooperatives and the public sector. The DAHLD policy document contains policies that relate to animal production, animal health, regulatory services, public health and inspectorate service, research and technology development and dissemination, and cross-cutting issues such as gender, HIV and AIDS, environment, globalization and involvement of other relevant stakeholders. This document should be viewed as a guide on the implementation of strategies, programmes and activities in the livestock sector. The successful implementation of these policies requires concerted from ali the key stakeholders. Finally, allow me to extend vote of tbanks and appreciation to all those who contributed and participated in the development of the policy document and wish them all the best in its implementation. A.T. Daudi (PhD) SECRET ARY FOR AGRICUL TURE i h December, 2004 3 AIDS ASF AU BSE CBPP CVL DAHLD EBL ECF FMD GDP HIV IBAR ITM LDP MASIP NGOs NLDMP OIE TAD TB ACRONMYS Acquired Immuno-deficiency Syndrome African swine fever African Union Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy Contagious Bovine Pleuro-pneumonia Central V eterinary Laboratory Department of Animal HeaJth and Livestock Development Enzootic Bovine Leucosis East Cost Fever Food and Mouth Disease Gross Domestic Product Human Immuno-deficiency Virus Inter-African Bureau of Animal Resources Infection and Treatment Method Lívestock Development Policy Malawi Agricultural Sector Investment Programme Non-Governmental Organizations National Livestock Development Master Plan Office for Intemational Epiziotics Trans-boundary Animal Disease Tuberculosis 4 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS The preparation of tbis policy document would have not been a success without the efforts of the Task force members who worked tirelessly to produce the document. The taskforce comprised of members from various disciplines in the Department who contributed to the comprehensiveness ofthe policy document. The D AHLD o:fficers included: Dr. D.O. Chinombo Mr. e.e. Khonje Mr. B.F. Zimba Mr. P.A.N. Gondwe Mr. R.G.M Mgomezulu Mr. J.C.N. Mwakhanzi Mr. Ian Kumwenda Dr. P. Cbikungwa Mr. G.H. Kamwamba Mrs. E. Mulenga Deputy Director (Animal Health) Deputy Director (Livestock Development) Chief Animal Health and Li vestock Development Officer Chief Animal Health and Livestock Development Officer Chief Animal Health and Livestock Development Officer Senior Assistant Veterinary Officer ( MASIP) Coordinator Officer ln-Charge (CVL) Clerical Officer Secretary I also appreciate the contributions of Professor J.P. Mtimuni ofBunda College of Agriculture, Mr. J.P. Pasani of ........ and Mr. M. M.kosi (Lilongwe ADD) for their comments and cootributions that enriched the document. Once again, I would like to thank a1l the taskforce mern bers, drafting team and secretariat, all stakeholders and worksbop participants for the valuable contribution and comrnitment in the production of this policy document. W.G. Lipita DIRECTOR OF ANIMAL HEALTH AND LIVESTOCK DEVELOPMENT 5 1 INTRODUCTION 1.1 The Livestock lndustry The Livestock industry in Malawi contributes about 8% of total GDP and about 36% the value of total agricultura! products. Livestock provides food, income, manure, animal traction and social security. Taking of all these into consideration, livestock may contribute more than 11 % to Gross Domestic Production. Livestock provides potential food security among the vulnerable groups such as female-, juvenile­ and elderly-headed households and orphans. There are about 1.2 million fam1 families who own one or more of various livestock types. Fifteeo percent of ali the livestock farmers are commercial and the rest are subsistence. 1.1.1 Livestock and their Populations Over the past fifteen years, the cattle population has been declining from over 1 million in the eighty's to 780,000. On the other hand, the goat population, now at 1. 7 million, has been increasing steadily and the sheep population has remained alroost static at about 120,000. Pig production has also stagnated over the years at 500,000 because of African Swine Fever (ASF) outbreaks, inferior breeds, poor husbandry practices and feed problem. The commercial poultry sector has been fluctuating reacting to cheap imports and Newcastle Disease. Village chicken forms an integral part of the poultry industry. Literally every home hold owns sorne chickens. The importaoce of the village chicken canoot be ones emphasised as it is kept for numerous functions and roles such as income through employment or sales of chickens or eggs for dietary animal protein intake through consumption of meat and eggs. It forros part of food security and provides cheaper organic manure for crop production. Government through DAHLD programmes will deliberately put in place mechanisms that wi ll ensure conservation of the various strains of chickens and protect them from the harsh effects of New Castle Disease. 6 Raising ofNon-convcntional stock such as guinea fowls is a relatively new enterprise. These together with ducks, rabbits, geese, pigeons, turkeys and guinea pigs are being promoted through generation and clissemination of appropriate technologies to increase their availability, consumption and marketing. 1.1.2 Constraints to Livestock Development The development of the livestock sector is hampered by the following constraints, which need to be addressed: 1.1.2.1 1.1.2.2 1.1.2.3 1.1.2.4 1.1.2.5 1.1.2.6 1.1.2.7 1.1.2.8 1.1.2.9 1.1.2.10 1.1.2.11 1.1.2.12 1.1.2.13 Limited supply of quality breeding stock Inadequate livestock delivery and extension services (husbandry and health care) resulting in low productivity Limited and inadequate prívate sector participation in stud breeding and investment in livestock programmes Insecurity and livestock theft discourage prospective investors. Inadequate human capacity at all levels Land pressure on grazing land Inadequate supply and rising cost of feed, drugs and other inputs Poor and undeveloped market in:frastructure for livestock and livestock products. The HIV / AIDS pandemic, which negatively impacts on delivery of services Slaughter of immature, pregnant and breedable stock. Inadequate control and prevention of produclion, notifiable and trans-boundary animal diseases. lnadequate public health, diagnostic and inspectorate services. Poor animal welfare. 7 2 THE DEPARTMENT OF ANIMAL HEALTH AND LIVESTOCK DEVELOPMENT The Department of Animal Health and Livestock Development, (DAHLD), hereinafter referred to as the Department, is one of the six technical departments in tbe Ministry of Agriculture. It was formed in 1929, then as the Department of Veterinary Services, mainly to control animal diseases. Over the years, its functions have grown to include livestock development and public health programmes. A strategy document for the livestock sector called the National Livestock Development Master Plan (NLDMP) was prepared in 1999, with the main objective of facilitating sustainable development of livestock sector. Another strategy document was prepared in February 2003 but all these did not have policy document to guide them. 2.1 Vision of the Department Malawi becoming a nation self-sufficient m safe locally produced livestock and livestock products. 2.2 Mission of the Department A sustainable livestock development to improve nutritional well-being of Malawians and irnproved rural livelihoods while guaranteeing the safety of the general public from consumption and utilisation of livestock products and by-products. 3 LIVESTOCK POLICY DEVELOPMENT The first policy statement of the Departrnent was published in 1952 and was reviewed in 1972 and 1988. All policy statements had one common strength and the major objective of which was: "To improve livestock production through disease control." The livestock sector has been undergoing a number of policy reforms in key areas such as service delivery for sustainable livestock development, improved livestock production, and involvement of other stakeholders in drug supply and service delivery. This policy document is a consolidation of the previous fragmented policy statements that have been long overdue for updating to accommodate new developments and challenges. Previous policy statements did not include the effects of irnproved livestock production 8 1 í1 1 1 111 i 1 1 1 1 11 11 1 li on people's livelihoods, impact on poverty, household food security and hmnan nutrition and the environment. 3.1 Goal of the Policy The overall goal of the policy is to contribute towards national developmental objectives aimed at reducing poverty, improving rural livelihoods, and relates to empowerment of producers and tbe welfare of the consumers, and conservation of the environment through the provision of appropriate animal husbandry, health and public health serv1ces. 3.2 Objectives of the Policy The overall policy objective is to increase availability of quality livestock and livestock products by promoting local production. The specific objectives ofthe policy, therefore, are : 3.2.1 To respond to the challenges of poverty reduction in Malawi 3.2.2 To liberalise marketing and involvement of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and farmer groups 3.2.3 To speci:fically tailor the livestock development strategies to contribute to chalJenges of poverty reduction and improvement ofrural livelihoods in Malawi 3.2.4 To coordinate and network the roles of the various stakeholders in the Livestock sub-sector, and in particular the prívate sector (commercial producers), NGOs, Farmers Associations and Cooperatives and the public sector. 3.2.5 To facilitate capacity development in the livestock sub-sector 3.3 Implementation of the Policy The implementation of the policy will, however, be infl.uenced by externa! factors and cross-cutting and emerging issues which can impact negatively on livestock development. Such factors and issues include: 9 1 , 3.3.1 Unpredictable weather. Weather pattem changes have not been predictable in the recent past despite irnproved technologies in forecasting and the livestock industry has not faired well when crop production has failed and livestock farmers have not prepared themselves for eventualities when adverse conditions have occurred. 3 .3 .2 Poor credit and macro-economic status. There are inadequate credit institutions with favourable terms for livestock farmers in the country 3.3.3 Insecurity. Toe livestock sub-sector has experienced major losses of livestock through theft which has discouraged the potential investors into the industry 3.3.4 The IITV/AIDs pandemk. This has gone beyond a medical to a social and welfare problem. It is devastating not only to the workplace but also irnpacting development prograrnmes as well. 3.3.5 Gender. The increasing roles and involvement of women must be taken on board. 3.3.6 Environmental issues. Toe need to conserve and protect the environment in livestock development. 3.3. 7 Globalisation and world trade 4 SPECIFIC POLICY STATEMENTS Government aims to provide level ground for fair play and let prívate sector take leadership with govemment providing inspection and regulatory roles and backup services. DAHLD shall periodicaJly review, and update its legislation (Acts and regulations) which bear direct relevance to the objectives of this policy. 4.1 Animal Production 4.1.1 Government will facilitate sustainable livestock production and productivity through promoting the introduction of technologies into the livestock sector that are environmentally friendly, cost-effective and guarantees consumer safety. 10 4.1.2 Government shall facilitate broadening livestock ownership including to the poorest of the poor, the modemization of the sector and aggressively engage the private commercial and semi-commercial sectors of the economy in animal production. 4.1.3 Livestock Breeding 4.1.3.1 Government sball promote the conservation and utilisation of the existing biodiversity among indigenous livestock breeds tbrough deliberate selectíon . .; 4.1.3 .2 Governm.ent shali support introduction of approved and regíster exotic breeds with superior characteristics. 4.1.3.3 Such importations may be tbrough conventional breeding methods, Artificial Insemination and use of sexed sperm, and embryo transfer technologies. ,., 4 .l. 3 .4 Government shall periodically review and recommend suitable breeds for registration a:fter critical evaluation v 4.1. 3. 5 Artificial lnsemination 4.1.3.5.1 Semen of the approved and registered breeds and regístered sources shall be used. ./ 4.1.3.5.2 Stud breeders and relevant organizations with guaranteed supply of liquid nitrogen shall be required to be registered. 4.1.3.5.2.1 Only those regístered shall be permitted to import or produce semen of the registered 4.1.3.5.3 The Department shall monitor sucb ímportations to ensure that quality and sanitation standards are met and adhered to. 4.1.4 Dairy Production 4.1 .4.1 Government shall promote production and consumption of rnilk and milk products and the ímprovement of farmers' access to dairy animals of approved breeds. 11 4.1.4.2 Toe dairy development initiatives will be facilitated through registered farmers and farmer groupings such as Associations and Cooperatives. 4.1.5 Beef Production 4.1.5.1 Government sball promote expansion of beef production by improving farmer's access to beef animals. 4.1.5.2 Government will encourage smallholder fanners to demarcate communal grazing areas for sustainable utilization where land is available and in line with existing land policies. 4.1.5.3 Steers and culls from tbe dairy sector program shall also contribute towards the beef production. 4.1.5.4 Ali major beef producers, butchers meat processors and outlets shall be registered. 4.1.6 Pig Production 4.1.6.1 Government wants to improve pig production by promoting increased availability of pigs, pig meat and products. 4.1. 7 Sma/L Ruminant Production 4.1.7.1 Governrnent shall encourage the production and the expansion of sbeep and goats. 4.1.7.2 Governrnent shall promote and facilitate the establishment of small ruminants market. 4.1.7.3 Government will support crossbreeding of the indigenous witb any of the approved breeds. 4.1.8 Poultry Production 4.1.8.1 Government wants to encourage expansion of and improving poultry production in order to increase availability of poultry and poultry products. 4.1.8.2 Ali hatcheries, producers and traders shall be registered. 4.1.9 Non-Conventional Livestock Production 12 4 .1 . 9 .1 Government shall pro mote production of non-conventional animals such as guinea fowls, rabbits, turkeys, guinea pigs, geese, ostrich, pigeons and ducks to increase the availability of animal protein and facilitate the establishment of markets. 4.1.10 Livestock Feeds 4.1.10.1 Government shall promote production of quality feeds and livestock feeding regime 4.1.10.2 All livestock feed producers, processors and traders shall be registered. 4.1.10.3 Approved and recommended fodder crops shall be registered 4.1.10.4 Govemment will regularly review and enforce at all times the appropriate legal instruments and tools for monitoring and controlling quality feed production 4.1.10.5 Use of growth stimulators and unapproved feed additives shall not be allowed. 4.1.10.6 Livestock producers shall be encouraged to produce and conserve fodder using registered and approved fodder crops in order to increase availability and quality of livestock feed to mitigate the effects of dry season feed shortages. 4.1.10.7 Specific uplands, dambos and wetland areas shall be designated for controlled grazing to minimize environmental degradation. 4.1.11 Animal Welfare and Housing 4.1.11.1 Government wants to stop the widespread animal suffering caused by inhumane handling, transportation and slaughter, and poor housing and care of the animals. 4.1.11.2 Government shall promete research and development to generate animal production and health technologies that shall improve livestock welfare and productivity. 4.1.11.3 Government shall promote use of appropriate housing structures and tecbnologies for each livestock species and production enterprise to enhance productivity. 13 11 1 1 1 4.J.12 Livestock Marketing 4.1.12.1 Government shall empower producers and encourage the participation of farming communities, farmers' organisations and prívate sector in production, processing, and marketing of livestock and livestock products. � 4.1.12.2 Government shall facilitate establishment of rural, peri-urban and urban agro-processing to add value. 4.1.12.3 Government shall facilitate acquisition of marketing facilities and ctissemination of livestock and livestock products market information. 4.1.12.4 Toe slaughter of imrnature añd breeding stock shall not be .allowed at any time unless approved. 4.1.13 Hides And Skins Trade 4.1.13.1 Toe policy on Hides and Skins is to promote quality processing and recovery of hides and skins and rationalize national and intemational marketing through registration of traders and processors. 4. t. J 3 .2 Ali traders and processors m .lúdes and skins shall be registered 4.1.14 Game Ranching 4.1.14.1 The Govemment will permit Game ranching to supplement animal protein supply to the nutritional requirements of people. 4.1.14.2 All farmers intending to establish game Ranches will be required to register in accordance with the provisions of the comment laws ofMalawi or Natural Parks. 4.1.14.3 DAHLD policy is to reduce contact and ctisease transmission between game animals and livestock and vice versa. 4.1.14.4 DAHLD shall, therefore, require to be consulted at al1 times an application is received to advise prior to issue of such game ranching licences. 14 4.1. 14.5 Contact between game animals and livestock may be minimized, where appropriate, by fencing and translocation of game to areas witb minimum livestock. 4.1.14.6 DAHLD shall prescribe mandatory practices (including creating buffer zones, where appropriate) and conditions under whicb Game rancbes will operate to reduce disease transmission risks between livestock and game animals. 4.2 Livestock Security 4.2.1 The policy on livestock security shall be in accordance with the Control and Diseases of Animals Act and the Animal Identification and Registration Act. 4.2.1.1 Livestock Jdentification and Tracing 4.2.1.1.1 The policy on livestock identification, for ease of animal identification, traceability and curbing theft, shall be in accordance with tbe Control and Diseases of Animals Act and the Animal Identification and Registration Act. 4.2.1.2 Livestock Movement Control 4.2.1.2.1 The policy on livestock movement shall be under tbe movement permit regime in accordance with the Control and Diseases of Animals Act and the Animal Tdentification and Registration Act. 4.2.1.2.2 Animals shall be allowed to move through designated stock routes only between 6.00 am to 6.00 pm. 4.2.1.2.3 The designated stock routes shall provide appropriate night kholas (kraals) and holding grounds. 4.2.1.2.4 Local community policing, use of animal movement permits and use of roadblocks to control movement shall be promoted to curb theft. 4.3 Animal Health and Disease Control 4.3.1 The Government policy on animal health is: 4.3.1.1 To protect the national herd / flock against priority trade­ sensitive diseases in order to safeguard the national economy and to control production diseases in order to irnprove animal production. 15 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 4 .3 .1.2 To control zoonotic diseases to protect the human population, and consumers against food-borne diseases. 4.3.2 The policy shall be executed in conformity with the animal health intemational protocols and codes of the SADC Livestock Sector Coordination Programme, the African Union Inter­ African Bureau of Animal Resources (O/\U/IBAR) and the Office for International Epizootics (OIE). 4.3.2.1 The destruction and compensation policy shall be in accordance with specific provisions of the Control and Disease of Animal Act, which stipulates circumstances under which animals may be destroyed. 4.3.3 Trans-boundary Animal Di.sease (TADs) Control 4.3.3.1 Toe policy on TADs is free provision of prevention and control services to the livestock farrning community. 4.3.3.2 The major threatening TADs are Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD), Contagious Bovine Pleuro-pneumonia (CBPP) and Rinderpest. 4.3.3.3 Management of T/\Ds may include creation of buffer zones around focal areas of confinned reservoir infections 4.3.4 Tickborne Diseases 4.3.4.l Tickborne diseases shall be controlled through recommended strategic dipping, immunization of animals wíth approved vaccines, li vestock movement restrictions and any combinations of these methods. .J.3.4.2 East Coas! Fever Control (ECF) 4.3.4.2.1 Animals from ECF endemic areas shall not be allowed in the southern region in order to maintain the ECF free status of the Region. 16 4.3.4.3 Dípping 4.3.4.3.1 Only approved and registered acaricides shall be used for tick control in Malawi. 4.3.4.3.2 Government shal] register and maintain an up-to-date register of acaricides approved for use in Malawi 4.3.4.3.3 Government shall recommend from time to time strategic dipping regimes using the approved acaricides and application methods. 4.3.4.3.4 Livestock farming cornmunities shall be empowered to run the dipping facilities under close Government supervision and regulation. 4.3.5 Tuberculosis (Tb) Control 4.3.5.1 Governrnent aims to attain a TB-free national herd througb testing conducted once a year and the immediate culling of reactors 4.3.5.2 Toe Government policy targets establishing TB-free status ( eradication of TB) in the dairy sub-sector. 4.3.5.3 The TB testing of the national beef herd shall be restricted to hot spots wbere prevalence is greater than 2%. 4.3.5.4 All positive reactors shall be culled and slaugbtered (Refer to Section 4.3 of this Policy document). 4.3.6 Brucellosis Control 4.3.6.1 The policy is zero tolerance on Brucellosis. 4.3.6.2 The national herd shall from time to time be tested and all reactors destroyed. 4.3.6.3 All imported animals and semen shall be required to test negative befare an import permit can be issued. 4.3.6.4 Only Brucella-free animals and materials shall be permitted to be imported into Malawi 17 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 4.3. 7 Enzootic Bovine Leucosis (EBL) Control 4.3.7.1 The EBL Control policy is to test and slaughter reactors over one year old every six months and movement restriction except for slaughter on ali farms that have in the past imported animals. 4.3.7.2 Infected commercial farms will be encouraged to adopt a voluntary test and slaughter programme, 4.3.7.3 lnfocted farms will not be permitted to sell breeding stock to other farmers until their farms are declared free of EBL 4.3.7.4 Governrnent will not permit animal imports from countries with established EBL status 4.3.7.5 Government will institute mandatory EBL testing of ali imported animals before import permits can be issued. 4.3.7.6 Only animals testing EBL negative will be permitted to be imported into Malawi 4.3.8 Rabies Control 4.3.8.1 The policy is to reduce rabies incidence witlún the susceptible populations through provisions of free vaccinations that cover entire dog population annually during rabies campaígns. 4.3.8.2 All rabies vaccinations outside the campaigns shall be chargeable. 4.3.9 Newcastle Disease Control 4.3.9.l The Government policy on Newcastle Disease control is to promote use of approved thermo-stable vaccines in village chickens, and the approved conventional vaccines in the commercíal poultry enterprises. 4.3.10 Emerging Diseases 4. 3.1 O. 1 Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE) 4.3.10.1.1 Government will strictly adhere and conform to the SADC Council of Ministers stand banning importation into the SADC region of live animals, fresh meat, and meat bone 18 meaJ from countries with established Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE) infections. 4. 3 .1 O. 2 Ot her Emerging Disease 4.3.10.2. l The policy on any other emerging or re-emerging diseases shaJl be based on lhe available epidemiologicaJ information at any one time. 4.4 Veterinary Services Delivery 4.4.1 Toe poljcy on veterinary service delivery aims at rationalizing service delivery between those of public good and tbose that can better be done or subcontracted to the prívate sector. 4.4.2 The Department shall therefore confine itself to delivery of core veterinary services of control of major economic and trans­ boundary diseases, veterinary public health, inspection and regulatory services 4.4.3 The Government policy is to gradually privatize the delivery of some of the animal health services and responsibility for the management of production and non-notifiable diseases to private practitioners and producers themselves. 4.4.4 Government shall, therefore advocate gradual transfer of sorne prophylactic activities such as vaccinations and dipping, curative and primary animal health care services to the prívate sector livestock community. 4.4.5 Supply and Delivery ofVeterinary Medicines, Vaccines, Biological reagents and Chemicals 4.4.5.1 Government shall promote and encourage prívate sector development of sustainable delivery systems for veterinary medicines, drugs, vaccines, biological materials and chemicals supplies. 4.4.5.2 Only approved and registered veterinary medicines, drugs, vaccines, biological materials and chemicals suppl ies used in the country shall be permitted to be used in the country 4.4.5.3 All dealers and suppliers of veterinary medicines, drugs, vaccines, biological materials and chemicals supplies and products shall be required to be registered. 19 4.4.6 Veterinary Public Health 4.4.6. l The Government policy on public health is to ensure safety and create consumer confidence in food products of animal origin (meat, milk and eggs) by providing inspection scrvices in abattoirs, dairies and hatcheries. 4.4. 7 Veterinary Diagnostics 4.4.7. l Toe policy is to promote monitoring the health status of the national herd/flock and provide reliable, timely, diagnostic, and disease surveillance (epidemiological) information for appropriate disease control and for planning interventions. 4.4.7.2 This policy shall be supported and comp1emented by the provision of services at strategically placed functional regional, district, quarantines and border posts. 4.5 Research 4.5.1 Government will support and encourage research that will generate information for developing appropriate technologies for improving livestock productivity in Malawi and supply of quality wholesome, and marketable safe products. 4.5.2 Government will not show any biases, but encourage research on genetic biodiversity and improvement, feed production, conservation and quality control, production systems; product processing and quality assurance, animal health and disease control, and animal welfare. 4.6 Import and Export of Animals 4.6.1 Toe policy on import and export of animals, animal products and animal production inputs is stipulated in the Sanitary and Phyto-sanitary WTO agreement on importation and exportation. 4.6.2 Ali import and export of animals, animal products and animal production inputs require veterinary certification to guarantee protection of the animals, plant and human health, and ensure environmental and consumers safety. 4.6.3 Toe Department sbal1 facilitate import and export certification of animal, animal products and animal production inputs in order to promote regional and intemational trade within and 20 outside the SADC block in line with the trade liberalisation policy. 4.6.4 In issuing certificates and permits, DAHLD will consider protection of the local livestock industries in countries of destination from disease threats as taking precedence over trade considerations. 4.7 Cross Cutting lssues The policy on cross cutting issues takes cognizant of issues such as HlV / AIDS pandemic, adequate gender mainstreaming and balancing, environmental protection and conservation when developing and implementing livestock technologies and programmes. 4. 7.1 IDV/AJDS 4.7.1.1 Mitigating impacts of HIV/AIDS by including households living with and affected by HIV / AIDS in livestock development programmes. 4. 7.2 Gender 4.7.2.1 Mainstreaming and balancing gender issues m livestock development programmes 4. 7.3 Environment 4.7.3.1 To ensure protection and conservation of the environment when developing and implementing livestock technologies and programmes. 4.7.3.2 Government shall ensure that sanitary regulations for effluent from major livestock enterprises and processing plants are instituted, impJemented and enforced. 21