Animal protection policy is weak or absent in National Agricultural Policies in most countries in Africa, says Judy Muriithi, a project manager at Brighter Green.
Brighter Green is a public policy action tank working to raise awareness of and encourage policy action on issues that span the environment, animals, and sustainability.
Muriithi at the Africa Protein Summit 2022 on Wednesday, argued that most animal protection legislations, where they exist, are either outdated or inherited from the colonial era.
Although there is the Animal Protection Index report of World Animal Protection, it is doubtful whether African countries are using the tool to evaluate themselves to identify gaps in their policy framework.
“There are inadequate and inefficient mechanisms that enable government, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), and relevant stakeholders to engage, develop, implement, and enforce proper animal welfare policies, regulations, norms, and standards.
“There is poor appreciation, awareness, and education on the importation of creating a global food that is humane and sustainable,” she said.
InsideBusiness can recall that the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (FMARD) in February this year organised workshops, in Lagos and Abuja, on the need for Nigeria to implement the World Organisation for Animal Health’s (OIE) best practice for animal welfare in order to access the international market.
At the workshop held in Lagos, the Director, the Federal Department of Veterinary and Pest Control Services, Olaniran Alabi, claimed that the Animal Welfare Strategy approved by the National Council of Agriculture in 2016 provides direction for the development of action plans to implement existing OIE guidelines and standards as well as a roadmap for the development of future animal welfare policies.
According to Muriithi, there should be advocacy for the importance of an African-centric approach to animal agriculture in order to avoid imposing immoral and unjust practices from the global North.
This will require educating farmers on animal welfare standards and practices.
It will also require governments to develop animal welfare laws and policies, and incorporate animal welfare into new and existing livestock policies, as it has a likelihood to contribute to food security in Africa.
Africa should acknowledge and learn from indigenous forms of agriculture that are adapted to climate and culture, Muriithi said.
“Leaders and policymakers must understand the different roles played by livestock in Africa and the impact and the impact of livestock on livelihoods,” she added.
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