Connect with:
Tuesday / January 21. 2025

logo
mobile-logo
HomePosts Tagged "World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH)"
Finance, Funding, Investments

Sweden is contributing SEK 30 million (approximately CHF 2.4 million) to the Standards and Trade Development Facility (STDF) from 2024 to 2026 to help developing economies and least developed countries (LDCs) meet international food safety, animal and plant health standards for trade

The contribution was confirmed at a signing ceremony on 7 November attended by Ambassador Nina Tornberg of Sweden and the WTO‘s Financial Controller at the Finance and Corporate Services Division, John Breckenridge.

WTO Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala said: “We thank Sweden for its continued generosity and commitment to the STDF, and to improving people’s lives through trade. For two decades, the STDF’s global partnership has successfully provided pathways to trading safely, enabling communities around the world to use trade to sustain inclusive development and growth. STDF’s support has helped small-scale producers in Africa, Asia and the Pacific, Latin America and the Caribbean meet standards and start exporting to regional and international markets, contributing to higher earnings and job creation, including for women and youth; supporting poverty reduction and food security; and creating ‘win-wins’ for development and the environment.

Sweden’s Minister for International Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade, Benjamin Dousa, said: “STDF’s work to strengthen farmers’, producers’ and traders’ access to international food markets helps boost food security by facilitating trade flows while offering the potential to improve income opportunities for communities. Supporting and strengthening the synergies between trade and development cooperation is a key part of the Swedish Government’s reform agenda for development assistance and STDF’s work is well aligned with this objective”.

The donation underscores Sweden’s commitment to the STDF’s mission, bringing its total contributions to approximately CHF 17.86 million since 2005. Sweden has contributed CHF 66.5 million to WTO trust funds over the past 22 years.

The 2024-2026 contribution will be used to strengthen the ability of small-scale farmers, producers and traders to gain and maintain access to markets for food and agriculture products through the development and roll-out of collaborative and innovative projects to strengthen SPS capacity, knowledge sharing, and monitoring and evaluation of results.

Sweden’s long-standing collaboration has been key over the years to promote the economic inclusion benefits of STDF’s work, which has contributed to increasing capacity in developing economies through contributions to legislation, strategies, structures, and SPS-related processes, as well as improved implementation of trade-focused measures for food safety, plant, and animal health.

Target economies and sectors – including micro-, small- and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) – that have benefitted from STDF support have seen stronger export growth in plants, animals and foods. STDF projects have also contributed to enhancing sustainable economic growth and climate change resilience.

Together with other donors, Sweden has driven work to mainstream cross-cutting issues focused on gender and environment, which enables STDF’s work to achieve stronger and more sustainable results. In addition, Sweden is actively contributing towards developing the next STDF strategy for 2025-2030 and strengthening STDF’s Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Framework with a view to further improving its performance and impact.

The STDF is a global multi-stakeholder partnership facilitating safe and inclusive trade, established by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations, the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH), the World Bank Group, the World Health Organization (WHO) and the WTO, which houses and manages the partnership. The STDF responds to evolving sanitary and phytosanitary needs, drives inclusive trade, and contributes to sustainable economic growth and food security, in support of the United Nations’ Global Goals.

Sweden is contributing SEK 30 million (approximately

Agro Universities, Animal Husbandry, India, Live Stock, R&D

Laboratory to play a key role in Global fight against Equine Piroplasmosis; a blood-borne disease affecting horses, donkeys, mules, etc.

In a landmark achievement for India’s Animal Health Sector, the Department of Animal Husbandry & Dairying (DAHD) under the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying has facilitated the designation of Indian Council of Agricultural Research-National Research Centre on Equines, Hisar (ICAR-NRC Equine) as a World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) Reference Laboratory for Equine Piroplasmosis. This global recognition underscores DAHD’s sustained commitment to enhancing India’s scientific capabilities, diagnostic infrastructure, and leadership in tackling critical animal health challenges.

As per the 20th Livestock Census, India possesses around 0.55 million Equines (horses, ponies, donkeys, mules) that plays a significant role in various livelihoods and industries. This population includes around 0.34 million horses and ponies, 0.12 million donkeys, and 0.08 million mules, with states like Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Gujarat, and Haryana having the highest concentrations. WOAH Reference Laboratory status not only affirms India’s adherence to the highest international standards in research and diagnostics but also reinforces India’s contributions to global animal health. NRC Equine will now play a key role in international collaborations, providing advanced diagnostic services, sharing technical expertise, and leading research initiatives on equine piroplasmosis. This recognition makes ICAR-NRC Equine the fourth laboratory in India’s Animal Husbandry sector to receive WOAH Reference Laboratory status, joining ICAR- National Institute of High Security Animal Disease, Bhopal (Avian Influenza); Veterinary College, Karnataka Veterinary Animal and Fisheries Sciences University, Bangalore (Rabies); and ICAR- National Institute for Veterinary Epidemiology and Disease Informatics, Bangalore (PPR and Leptospirosis).

The official designation of ICAR-NRC Equine as a WOAH Reference Laboratory will be formally announced at the 92nd WOAH General Session and World Assembly of Delegates in May 2025. This milestone achievement is a step towards advancing India’s diagnostic capabilities, establishing partnerships, and solidifying India’s leadership in animal health. It also highlights India’s growing influence in global animal health, particularly in combating equine piroplasmosis, a disease with substantial implications for the international equine industry.

About Equine Piroplasmosis disease:

Equine piroplasmosis, caused by the tick-borne protozoan parasites Babesia caballi and Theileria equi, affects horses, donkeys, mules, and zebras and poses a serious threat to the health of these animals, with significant economic impact. It has a reported seroprevalence rate of 15-25% across India. In certain high-risk regions, this prevalence can reach up to 40%, resulting in severe economic losses due to decreased productivity, health deterioration, and restrictions on the movement and export of equines. Recognizing the need for rigorous control and early diagnostics, DAHD has prioritized NRC Equine as India’s National Reference Center for equine diseases and the institute has developed cutting-edge diagnostic tools for Equine Piroplasmosis such as ELISA based on recombinant antigen, Indirect Fluorescent Antibody Test, Competitive ELISA for antibody detection and blood smear examination, MASP in-vitro culture system, and PCR for antigen detection.

Laboratory to play a key role in

AgroPolicy, India, Industry Reports / Analysis, Live Stock, Poultry, Trade

India’s poultry industry is poised for a significant boost as the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) recently approved the country’s self-declaration of freedom from Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) in specific poultry compartments. This approval is expected to have a substantial impact on India’s poultry exports.

According to the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), India’s poultry exports reached a peak of 6.64 lakh tonnes valued at $134.04 million during the 2022-23 fiscal year, nearly doubling from the previous year’s figures. In 2021-22, poultry shipment volumes were at 3.20 lakh tonnes, valued at $71.03 million. Alongside the recent self-declaration, global factors such as the impact of the Ukraine war have also contributed to the surge in the global demand for Indian poultry products.

India’s assertion of being HPAI-free in its poultry compartments reinforces its market credibility. This declaration instils confidence among international buyers regarding the safety, quality, and disease-free nature of Indian poultry products. It serves as a testament to the nation’s commitment to stringent biosecurity measures and efficient disease control protocols.

To achieve this benchmark, the government and private players undertook significant steps, including the complete eradication of the poultry population, disposal of infected eggs, feed, litter, and other materials, disinfection and cleaning up of infected premises, as well as the restriction of poultry and poultry products to and from outbreak areas. These measures, outlined in an official statement, were pivotal in obtaining the HPAI-free status.

Putting a magnifying glass on the bundle of advantages of India’s HPAI-free ranking, Shan Kadavil, Co-Founder and CEO, FreshToHome said, “Exporters of poultry from India will benefit from the HPAI-free status. In contrast to products coming from areas still grappling with Avian Influenza outbreaks, they can market theirs as premium, safe, and superior. Indian poultry products can benefit from this competitive edge by experiencing increased demand and preference in the global market.”

Echoing similar thoughts, Abhishek Negi, Co-founder & CEO, Eggoz opined, “The stage is set for an increase in export volumes with the HPAI-free declaration. It draws in new customers looking for safe, high-quality poultry products and encourages current trade partners to increase their imports of poultry from India. The overall export earnings of India are boosted by this surge in exports. The expansion of the poultry export market is due to more than just a rise in profits. It promotes economic stability and adds to the nation’s employment landscape by stimulating job creation throughout the supply chain, from farms to processing units and logistics.”

To read more click on: https://agrospectrumindia.com/e-magazine

India’s poultry industry is poised for a

Animal Health, India, Poultry, World

The approval of self-declaration by WOAH, is expected to open up new opportunities for Indian poultry in the global market.

In a significant development for India’s poultry industry, the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) has approved India’s self-declaration of freedom from Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) in specific poultry compartments. This achievement is a testament to India’s commitment to maintaining high standards of animal health and biosecurity.

Approval of Self-Declaration by WOAH

The Department of Animal Husbandry & Dairying, Government of India, has submitted a self-declaration of freedom from High Pathogenicity Avian Influenza in 26 poultry compartments to the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH). On October 13, 2023, the self-declaration was approved by WOAH, coinciding with World Egg Day.

These poultry compartments are located in four states of India, namely Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, and Chhattisgarh. This recognition by WOAH signifies India’s commitment to international biosecurity standards and will contribute to enhancing the export potential of Indian poultry and poultry products, including meat and eggs. India, as the third-largest producer of eggs (129.60 billion) and the fifth-largest producer of poultry meat (4.47 million tonnes) globally, is poised to capitalize on this achievement.

During the 2022-23 fiscal year, India exported poultry and poultry products to 64 countries, generating revenue of 134 million USD. The approval of this self-declaration is expected to open up new opportunities for Indian poultry in the global market, contributing to the country’s economic growth.

Background on Zoning and Compartmentalization

Zoning and compartmentalization are strategic tools used to establish and maintain groups of animals with specific health statuses for the purposes of international trade and disease prevention or control. Compartmentalisation involves defining a sub-population of animals with a specified health status within the national territory. The maintenance of this status relies on stringent management and husbandry practices that adhere to the standards outlined in the WOAH Terrestrial Code (Chapters 4.4 and 4.5) and recommendations related to specific disease chapters.

Avian Influenza in India

Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI), commonly known as Bird Flu, was first detected in India in the state of Maharashtra in February 2006. Since then, the country has experienced annual outbreaks of HPAI in different regions, leading to substantial economic losses. The disease has been reported in 24 states and union territories, resulting in the culling of over 9 million birds to control its spread.

India’s approach to controlling HPAI follows a “detect and cull” policy as outlined in the National Action Plan for Prevention, Control, and Containment of Avian Influenza (revised – 2021). This comprehensive response includes the humane destruction of infected and exposed animals, eggs, feed, litter, and other contaminated materials. Additionally, measures such as restricting the movement of poultry and poultry products, disinfection and clean-up of infected premises, and a Post-Operative Surveillance Plan (POSP) have been implemented. It’s important to note that vaccination against HPAI is not permitted in India.

Compartmentalisation: A Key Control Measure

Despite these challenges, India has taken a proactive approach to mitigate the risks associated with HPAI by adopting the concept of poultry compartmentalisation. Compartmentalisation is a crucial tool that enhances animal health, reduces the risk of disease outbreaks within and outside the compartment, and facilitates the trade of poultry and poultry-related products.

The approval of self-declaration by WOAH, is