By Bakary Touray Jr
The Minister of Agriculture, Madam Amie Fabureh, has extolled the Nairobi-headquartered African Union-Inter African Bureau of Animal Resources (AU-IBAR), for its support towards enhancing the Gambia’s veterinary legislation.
She also, on behalf of the Gambian leader Mr. Adama Barrow, expressed appreciation to the AU-IBAR for their support in the country’s successful hosting of the regional seminar, aimed at strengthening the Gambia’s Veterinary Legislation.
The Gambia’s Agriculture Minister was delivering a statement at the closure of a two-week seminar, on the theme “Collective Review and Update of Veterinary Legislation by African Union Member States”. She reassured the gathering that The Gambia would continue to recognize AU-IBAR.
Madam Fabureh further remarked: “A big thank you, is also extended to the individual national delegations for taking your country this far.
“Similarly, we wish to thank the technical facilitator, Dr. Bruce Mukanda, for providing the necessary guidance to the process”.
She held, “It is without doubt that, having a reviewed and updated veterinary legislation for AU-Member States would go a long way in achieving the Africa we want by 2063.”
The Gambia’s Agriculture Ministry boss reminded the participants of the important role the livestock sub-sector continues to play in the socio-economic development of the country; despite, its potential is yet to be fully tapped and has remained a unique source of income and a food security enhancer for the majority of the rural communities.
Fabureh added: “Its overall contribution to the national GDP is equally significant. I am talking about the 29% that has been quoted in literature even though a lot of livestock experts continue to argue that this is an underestimation”.
She averred: “Similarly, I believe this is fairly the same in most other AU-member states. A sound, practical and applicable veterinary legislation in AU-member countries would equip national veterinary services with the required tools to even further contribute to the socio-economic development of the continent”.
The convergence heard that The Gambia “is in the final stages” of enacting its New Animal Health Bill, 2019 which was equally supported by the AU-IBAR; which goes to strengthen its livestock and veterinary activities.
“Henceforth, my ministry will not relent in its development efforts for the livestock sector. It will continue to support the strengthening of our veterinary services to ensure effective implementation of our veterinary legislation towards an improved livestock sector,” were the assurances given by the country’s first female Minister of Agriculture.
The forum that brought 23 countries, representing over 70 participants, was held at Senegambia Beach hotel, from 30th September to 11th October 2019.
