Cop-PPLD and NGOs:Get together to focus on livestock

development issues

Dr Philippe Ankers FAO, AGA, Rome

Sustainable Animal Production Systems BranchMay 2010

Who are the International NGOs ?

• An estimated 40 000 INGOs are operating worldwide

• Divided in two main categories: operational and advocacy NGOs

• Play a vital role in the shaping and implementation of participatory democracy

• Possess well established and diverse experience, expertise and capacity in fields of particular importance to the implementation and review of environmentally sound and socially responsible sustainable development

• Are a global network that should be tapped, enabled and strengthened.

From Chapter 27 of Agenda 21

• Strengths generally associated with the NGO sector:

– strong grassroots links – field-based development expertise – the ability to innovate and adapt – process-oriented approach to development – participatory methodologies and tools – long-term commitment and emphasis on sustainability – cost-effectiveness

• Most commonly identified weaknesses of the NGO sector:

– limited financial and management expertise – limited institutional capacity – low levels of self-sustainability – isolation/lack of inter-organizational communication and/or coordination – small scale interventions – lack of understanding of the broader social or economic context

1. Eradicate extreme poverty and hunger

– 700 million poor rely on livestock for their livelihood– Livestock generates employment and thus income– Livestock products contribute high quality nutrients to the diet of millions in

developing countries– Often only option for subsistence / income in arid, semi arid areas

– Competition for grain– GHG Emission and risk of land degradation which affect livelihoods

2. Achieve universal primary education

– Critical cash to pay school fees

– Children herd livestock or collect water which prevents them from regularly attending school

Livestock and the MDGs

3. Promote gender equality and empower women

– Sole source of income and/or inheritance for women

– Extra work burden with often partial access to the income

4./5./6. Reduce child mortality, Improve maternal health, Combat HIV/AIDS, malaria, and other diseases

– Critical cash to pay for medical costs– Provides important micronutrients (minerals, vitamins)– Supplement breast feeding– Veterinary services can be a gateway for public health services

– Livestock can be a threat to public health– Taking care of livestock can affect the physical condition of (pregnant) women

7. Ensure environmental sustainability

– Provision of fertilizer– Animal traction for 1/3 of arable land– Income to buy inputs for crop

– Risk of soil erosion / desertification when overstocking – Risk of water pollution

8. Develop a global partnership for development

– Research partnerships– Global action on mitigation of environmental impact– Global action on emerging zoonotic diseases (One health approach). Opens

avenues to overcome current health and hygiene related trade distortions

– Harmonizing application of standards is challenging

Other challenges

• Opportunity cost of livestock related interventions

• Subsidised interventions vs long term development activities.

• Community Based Animal Health Services:– Issue of access vs. quality

Informal consultation FAO-NGOs, Dec 2009

• Attendance– 13 International NGOs– 7 Divisions and Services of FAO

• Purpose– Get to know each other– Identify synergies– Explore possible collaborative

activities

Recommendations

– Increase the role of FAO as a “brokering agency”• Facilitate dialogue between Civil Society and Governments• Coordination role at national or regional level• Organisation of technical meetings

– Increase collaboration in preparation and implementation of emergency interventions

• LEGS• Share experience (positive or negative)

Informal consultation FAO-NGOs, Dec 2009

Informal consultation FAO-NGOs, Dec 2009

Recommendations

– Collaborate on the development of legal documents

– Increased sharing of information

• Examples: DAD-Net, Farm Animal Welfare Network, Animal Feeding Network, Veterinary Public Health Network

• Development of information exchange platforms

• The Cop-PPLD portal was identified as a very appropriate tool to exchange information

– Two ways communication– Free– Accessible anywhere in the world– Neutral

Cop-PPLD

• Standards relating to food safety fall under the WTO SPS. Most information available is on standards for fruits and vegetables

• Questionnaire developed to gather information on standards, codes of conducts or guidelines for food safety, food quality, animal welfare, environment, worker safety and social aspects of livestock production.

• Takes about 15 minutes to fill

• Link is http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/HDDRV27

FAO Survey on Standards, Codes and Guidelines in the Livestock Sector

Thank you for your attention