Fortune News | Sep 21,2019
Ministry of Agriculture is poised to transform the livestock sector with a bill that introduces a national veterinary laboratory network and a traceability system. The Animal Health & Welfare Act, which was tabled to Parliament last week, aspires to modernise veterinary infrastructure, improve disease control, and align the country with international standards.
Officials hope this will address issues that have long hampered the sector, such as inadequate veterinary care and weak export standards.
State Minister Fikru Regassa (PhD) acknowledged the prolonged process of drafting the law, citing over 14 years of restructuring within the Ministry and the Ethiopian Agricultural Authority. Despite the delays, he expressed optimism about the potential to improve exports and reduce animal mortality rates caused by poor practices.
“We’ll increase our market share internationally,” he said.
The livestock sector faces untapped potential. While the country could export 200,000tn of meat annually, only 12,168tn was achieved last year—61pc of the Ministry’s target. Live cattle exports also fell short, with 256,809 animals exported against a target of 320,000.
However, officials report progress this year. In the first quarter alone, livestock exports exceeded projections, generating 10.7 million dollars from 109,000 heads. They attribute the increased earnings to increased demand, transportation improvements, availability of international standard quarantine and foreign exchange rate increments.
The proposed law outlines measures to modernise the livestock sector. Key provisions include setting qualifications for animal health professionals, establishing an Animal Health Board, and mandating disease reporting. It also focuses on disease control and the development of essential health facilities.
Lack of quarantine facilities nearby is raised by health experts in Borena Zone, Oromia Regional State, as a major issue.
Guyo Kunchora (PhD), an animal health expert, said livestock owners must transport animals nearly 555Km to Bishoftu (Debrezeit) town, increasing disease transmission risks and contraband trade.
Despite vaccination efforts, Guyo noted that diseases originating from neighbouring Kenya remain a persistent issue. Borena has an estimated five million cattle, rescued from the severe drought in 2022, where 3.3 million were lost.
“We still don’t have enough animal feed reserves,” he told Fortune.
Regulating quarantine sites is another critical component of the legislation. Abdulsemed Mohammed, CEO of Furaat Livestock Exporter, expressed cautious optimism, accentuating the potential to restrain corruption and streamline export processes. His company exports 200 to 500 live cattle and 10tns of meat monthly to the Middle East.
However, he noted ongoing struggles with the results of pre-slaughter examinations, which usually end up being rejected abroad. Abdulsemed said livestock that were deemed
“The expertise of examiners is questionable,” he told Fortune.
According to experts, Mille quarantine in Afar Regional State is the first international-standard facility, with a capacity to handle 18,000 cattle at a time. Previously, exporters relied on smaller rented centres with limited capacity.
Hayder Kemal, from the Ethiopia Livestock Exports Association, raised concerns about the ambiguity surrounding the registration of quarantine sites and transportation conditions for livestock. The bill states that quarantines must be registered with the Authority for quality control, but Hayder questioned how this would apply to rented facilities.
“Further clarification is needed,” he commented.
Officials clarified that the requirements are about meeting standards, not ownership.
Fikru said preventing disease transmission is one cornerstone of the bill. It mandates veterinary movement permits for transporting livestock, detailing the animal’s health status, origin, and destination. Markets and gatherings where animals are assembled will require prior approval to mitigate disease spread.
During the discussion, Abdulkader Mohammed (PhD), animal health regulatory director in the Afar Regional State, had reservations. He observed that the bill disregarded traditional pastoralist practices and expects forthcoming consultations to address such concerns.
State officials, such as Yohannes Girma (PhD), advisor to the State Minister, emphasized initiatives to safeguard pastoralist regions. He said cooperative unions aim to integrate livestock owners into insurance and trading systems, enabling sales at peak market value. Last year, participants in such programs received 30 million Br, with 160,000 individuals now involved.
The proclamation underlines the importance of building robust veterinary infrastructure. It calls for the establishment of a national veterinary laboratory network to enhance disease diagnosis and control.
The issue of stray animals is also addressed, mandating that any individual who encounters or suspects an animal to be roaming must report it to the nearest veterinary authority, animal health officer, or local administration. The State Minister said veterinary personnel are tasked with capturing and caring for such animals, locating their owners, or ensuring "proper management" if they are neglected.
“It’ll reduce risks associated with strays, including the transmission of zoonotic diseases,” he said.
Zoonotic diseases remain a critical concern. A 2021 study ranked Ethiopia second in Africa for human rabies deaths, with over 2,900 fatalities annually. Livestock losses to rabies also pose an economic burden. Regional states like Benishangul saw cattle populations decline from 700,000 in 2020 to 527,000 due to disease outbreaks and instability.
The National Veterinary Institute, established in 1964, plays a pivotal role in combating these challenges. Currently producing 23 types of vaccines, the Institute plans to expand production to meet growing demand. Director General Takele Abayneh (PhD) noted that the new law allows private sector involvement in animal medical centres, improving accessibility.
“We’re hopeful,” he said.
Traceability is another focus of the draft proclamation, vital for meeting international market standards. A pilot system that registers the livestock is underway in two slaughterhouses, marking progress toward accurate livestock population data.
Ethiopia’s livestock includes an estimated 71 million cattle, 52 million goats, and 42 million sheep. Agricultural sector accounts for 40pc of the country’s GDP and employs 80pc of the country’s workforce. The government targets exporting 390,000 live animals and 15,000tns of meat this fiscal year.
Despite previous laws on animal safety and health, weak enforcement has hindered export standards. Quality concerns also persist, as inadequate care and harmful practices, like whipping animals, degrade meat quality. Veterinarian Nadi Hailegiorgis stressed the need for proper training.
Experts like Elias Demeke (DVM), deputy manager of BCD Consultancy Services, advocate for establishing quarantine and phytosanitary zones to enhance competitiveness. Controlling illegal cross-border livestock movement also remains a pressing issue.
He recommends a dedicated border guard and stakeholder involvement in policy-making to address challenges effectively.
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