Empowering communities: The key to strong biosecurity
Biosecurity is essential for protecting animal health, safeguarding our food supply, and mitigating the risk of zoonotic diseases. While governments and international organizations play a crucial role, the success of biosecurity initiatives hinges on the active participation of local communities. FAO helps countries strengthen biosecurity across livestock production, but a one-size-fits-all approach doesn't work.
Learning from the past, building for the future
FAO is implementing a new initiative, the Progressive Management Pathway for Terrestrial Animal Biosecurity (PMP-TAB). This approach builds on past experiences and recognizes the urgent need to address animal health threats, including zoonoses and antimicrobial resistance (AMR). It emphasizes a One Health approach, acknowledging the interconnectedness of human, animal, and environmental health to mitigate public health risks.
Engaging communities: The key to success
A critical principle of the initiative is community engagement. This means involving farmers, local governments, veterinarians, and others in designing biosecurity solutions. This bottom-up approach helps create solutions that address real challenges, considering economic, social, and even cultural factors.
Success story: Collaborative biosecurity in Uganda
An example from Uganda highlights the effectiveness of a bottom-up approach and serves as a blueprint for other countries looking to strengthen biosecurity in the livestock sector. It demonstrates the power of collaboration, comprehensive assessment, and co-creation in achieving significant improvements in biosecurity practices.
By engaging local stakeholders and tailoring solutions to their specific needs, the country has boosted the poultry industry in targeted districts. A joint initiative by FAO, the Government of Uganda, and local communities in Mukono and Wakiso districts has proven to be a game-changer. By working closely with poultry slaughterhouses, the project identified key challenges and co-created practical solutions to enhance biosecurity practices.
A key component of this success story is the shift from a traditional product-focused inspection system to a process-oriented approach. By implementing a certification system that emphasizes biosecurity practices throughout the entire slaughter process, the project has driven a remarkable improvement in compliance rates. Within just three months, adherence to biosecurity measures increased from 28 percent to 69 percent.
This achievement underscores the importance of engaging local communities in developing and implementing biosecurity solutions. By understanding and addressing the specific needs and constraints of stakeholders, it is possible to achieve significant and sustainable improvements in animal health and food safety.