Multi-regional Whole Journey Scenario (WJS) Workshop on long-distance transport by land and sea between Europe, the Middle East and North Africa

A multi-regional Whole Journey Scenario (WJS) workshop on long-distance transport by land and sea between Europe, the Middle East and North Africa was held in Tunis, Tunisia, between the 07 – 09 November 2023, with the joint forces by the WOAH Sub-Regional Representations in Abu Dhabi, Brussels and Tunis and the Regional Representation in Beirut.

The event had the participation of more than 35 participants from the different regions of Europe, North Africa and Middle East.

The event was opened with a welcome message delivered by Prof Abderraouf Laajimi, Chief of Staff, Ministry of Agriculture, Water Resources and Fisheries, Tunisia.

The workshop was built upon routes with similar transportation challenges identified through previous workshops and through the requests received from Members who transport live animals from Europe to the Middle East and North Africa. Representatives from 15 WOAH Members participated in the meeting, namely:  France, Ireland, Portugal, Romania, and Spain from Europe; Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, Türkiye and the United Arab Emirates from the Middle East; and Algeria, Libya, Morocco and Tunisia from North Africa.

The workshop’s main objectives were to help countries improve animal welfare during long-distance and cross-border transport in compliance with WOAH standards for the whole journey along the selected route with a focus on the responsibilities of the Competent Authorities over the entire journey. In addition, the workshop aimed to share best practices and strengthen collaboration and communication between Competent Authorities. Moreover, the workshop provided the opportunity to deepen Members’ understanding of the level of compliance with animal welfare standards and identify key issues, constraints, and/or challenges experienced while implementing these standards. The workshop highlighted the need for enhancing and strengthening communication and cooperation between Competent Authorities and all actors involved in transporting live animals, the importance of well-defined responsibilities, and appropriate planning and establishing emergency procedures.

The participants called for further WOAH activities supporting and strengthening the collaboration between Competent Authorities, inter-regional cooperation, and sharing of experiences (workshops, training, development of IT tools, guidance documents, and checklist, harmonization of the exchanges of information on transport animals).

On the third and final day, the workshop included  a field visit to the École Nationale de Médecine Vétérinaire de Sidi Thabet (ENVM), and to the Fondation Nationale d’Amelioration de la Race Chevaline (FNARC).

Please find below the workshop agenda and the link for the presentations kindly delivered by our Members and colleagues.