As part of the OIE global programme of strengthening of Veterinary Services, and as a complementary activity to the evaluation of Veterinary Services using the OIE-PVS Tool, the OIE is organising Seminars on Good Governance which main objective is to demonstrate the importance of Veterinary Services for reducing risks for animal and public health as well as a mean to help to poverty reduction.
Delegates from Mauritius, Malawi and Madagascar attending the OIE seminar. Picture © DAHP (MoA) 2008.
Dr Bernard Vallat, OIE Director General. Picture © DAHP (MoA) 2008.
The first of such seminars on “Good Governance for Veterinary Services”, was organised by the OIE Sub-Regional Representation for Southern Africa at the Botswana National Veterinary Laboratory in Sebele, Gaborone (Botswana) from 16th to 18th January 2008 in collaboration with the Government of Gaborone and the SADC Secretariat.
The seminar, which included the participation of both public (official) and private sector representatives, was attended by OIE delegates from 17 countries in southern and eastern Africa (including the Comoros, Madagascar, Mauritius and the Seychelles), as well as 9 representatives from veterinary councils, veterinary associations and farmers’ associations, and representatives from the SADC Secretariat, the FAO and AU-CTTBD.
The OIE Director General, Dr Bernard Vallat participated in the seminar together with several staff members from the OIE head office (Dr Gideon Brückner, Dr Gaston Funes, Dr Keith Hamilton, Ms Nataly Monsalve) and all staff of the OIE Sub-Regional Representation in Gaborone (Dr Bonaventure Mtei, Dr Patrick Bastiaensen, Ms Nomsa Thekiso), a representative of the OIE Regional Representation for Africa in Mali (Dr Nicolas Denormandie) and the President of the OIE Regional Commission for Africa and OIE Delegate of Swaziland (Dr Robert Thwala). The organisation was strongly supported by and coordinated with senior staff of the Botswana Department of Animal Health & Production, in particular Dr Musa Fanikiso, CVO and OIE Delegate of Botswana, his deputy Dr Moetapele Letshwenyo, and several supporting staff.
Main topics of the seminar included : good governance of Veterinary Services including proper public/private partnership, the evaluation of Veterinary Services using the OIE-PVS tool, the OIE Codes and Manuals, the OIE twinning process, trade in animals and animal products (including commodity-based trade) in relation to country obligations of the SPS agreement.