EU roots for Cross Border Animal Health Coordination between Sudan and South Sudan

19.02.2020

Cattle is vital for many South Sudanese people and for the economy of South Sudan and the EU wants to help to keep cattle in this country health and productive.

In this vein, with support from the European Union, the governments of Sudan and South Sudan on Tuesday February 18th  signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on Cross-Border Animal Health Coordination and Cooperation. This MoU follows a similar multilateral agreement concluded by South Sudan last July 2019 with three other important neighbouring and partner countries – Ethiopia, Kenya and Uganda.

The Sudanese Minister of Animal Resources and Fisheries Alameldin Abdullar and South Sudanese Minister of Livestock and Fisheries James Duku inked the MoU in Juba following bilateral meetings to launch the cross-border governance structure and development of the harmonized vaccination calendar.

This agreement is a key milestone toward the establishment of effective cross-border animal health governance, with appropriate measures to monitor, prevent and control animal trans-boundary pests and diseases.

Institutional capacity building, cross border animal trade regulation, quality livestock and meat marketing promotion, cattle rustling control are some of the positive outcomes from the implementation of the agreement.

"The EU recognises the strategic role of livestock in the lives of South Sudanese rural households but also its potential to spur inclusive economic growth for development. We also believe that the growth of the sector can contribute significantly to the GDPs of the countries in the region thereby boosting employment opportunities and reducing poverty," Dr Sinead Walsh, EU Ambassador to South Sudan said during the MoU signing ceremony.

"In South Sudan and since its independence, the EU has dedicated over half of its budget of over €1 billion euros to supporting food security and rural development precisely so that South Sudanese people can improve the livelihood prospects for themselves and for their families.”

The signing of the MoU paves way for a legal framework for continued cooperation between South Sudan and Sudan and the other three countries, ensuring effective cross boundary coordination and control on animal health and associated quality standards.

This initiative is part of a larger programme whereby FAO with funding from the EU and in collaboration with the IGAD Centre for Pastoral Areas and Livestock Development and the Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries, supports pastoralist communities through prevention and control of transboundary animal diseases and promotes livestock trade in the cross-border areas between South Sudan, Sudan, Ethiopia, Kenya and Uganda.


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