1. African Livestock Conference (ALiCE 2013)
DRAFT POLICY PERSPECTIVES: AN AGENDA FOR ADVOCACY IN THE
AFRICAN LIVESTOCK SECTOR
By: Paul Gamba
Consultant on Policy
23rd
July, 2013
Nairobi, Kenya

2. DRAFT POLICY PERSPECTIVES FROM THE AFRICAN LIVESTOCK
CONFERENCE 2013: AN AGENDA FOR ADVOCACY IN THE AFRICAN
LIVESTOCK SECTOR
Background
The first African Livestock Conference and Exhibition (ALiCE 2013) was held in Nairobi,
Kenya from 26th
to 28th
June, 2013. Running under the theme “Towards a Competitive and
Sustainable World-class Livestock Sector”, ALiCE 2013 for the first time, brought together
livestock experts, scientists, product manufacturers, financiers and farmers to simultaneously
discuss the future of the livestock industry and offer an opportunity for exhibitors to network,
showcase and market their wares.
In the course of preparations for the conference, it emerged that the conference can provide an
opportune moment to capture policy perspectives that can be used as a basis for actively
contributing to and influencing the policy agenda at the national, regional, continental and global
levels. This is the basis for these policy perspectives that are based on presentations and
subsequent discussions over the course of ALiCE 2013. These policy perspectives are presented
in the order in which the presentations were made and does not therefore show any preference or
priority ranking. It is expected that they will be used to develop policy advocacy agenda for
various interested institutions in Africa and respective countries and ultimately inform policy
formulation.
Policy perspectives from Government
The Government of Kenya through its Cabinet Secretary gave an indication that the new
administration is keen on enhancing the contribution of the livestock sector in reducing
unemployment especially of the youth and women. This is to be accomplished through increased
budgetary outlays for livestock research and extension. The training and empowerment of
livestock farmers is to be at the forefront of future livestock programs.
It would be preferable that this policy position is or can be replicated in other throughout the
continent. However, the challenge is for the livestock fraternity to hold the administration
accountable for these policy assurances and ensure there delivery.
Policy perspectives on global trends in the livestock Industry
Global projections bear out a scenario where it is expected that there will be increasing demand
for livestock and livestock products. African livestock producers and economies are therefore in
a position to contribute to and accrue higher gains. It is nonetheless futile to expect these gains
without corresponding increases in new investments and reforms in the livestock sector. Such
reforms include a clear focus on local or regional markets without losing sight of international or
export markets.

3. Policy perspectives on global and national animal health
The emerging emphasis on stringent animal health standards at the global level implies
increasing pressure on African livestock producers to conform. While this emphasis is critical,
animal standards must be focused on and show benefits that accrue to conforming poor
consumers and producers. Similarly, animal health standards must clearly be based on verifiable
scientific evidence rather market flimsy market whims, must facilitate increased trade in
livestock and livestock products without unnecessarily risking consumers health especially in
view of the pursuit of the profit motive.
Another major policy concern at the global level arises from the need to continue co-existence of
livestock, wildlife and humans while recognizing and taking account of the fact that wildlife are
a major livestock disease reservoir. This requires policies that can maintain the delicate balance
taking the environment and climate changes into account. It is generally considered that the “One
health” approach adopted at the global level will cascade to country and even community levels.
While the “one health” approach envisages combined efforts in addressing food safety, public
health, animal health and environmental health; in many countries these entities still operate in
cocoons and to be effective require clearly defined roles, agreed structures and identified
sustainable benefits.
At the national level, policies that drive the provision and delivery of animal health services is
fraught with challenges with respect to the roles of the public and private sectors. It is however
increasingly being recognized that there is need to forge a confluence and place emphasis on
structures and systems that enhance complementarities. However, the animal health policy
environment has yet to conform to these realities.
At the same time, the animal health service delivery arena continues to experience inappropriate
subsidies and support that constrain market development for private sector animal health service
provision and delivery due to the absence of appropriate and accommodating policy frameworks.
It is critical that these frameworks are developed and implemented to ensure the growth of a
market oriented animal health service provision and delivery.
Policy perspectives on linking livestock producers to high value markets
While it is recognized that it is important to link livestock producers to high value markets, there
are challenges that have to be overcome. These include constraints to increasing the capacity of
smallholders to complete globally in the presence of high costs of certification and increasing
emphasis on quality and standards. The policy concern in this respect is the absence of a
framework for lowering the cost of certification and exposure to the constraining market
requirements for poor individual livestock producers.
In the push for exports, policy makers have to find a balance between domestic/regional markets
and export markets. Similarly, business opportunities must be viewed in terms of growth rates
rather than absolute quantities.

4. The pursuit of export markets and other business opportunities require the development of a
functional public-private sector partnership policy framework supported by reliable data. This is
often lacking in many countries.
Effective and relevant livestock policies can only be formulated after a careful evaluation of
existing policies. This can be achieved by undertaking policy landscaping that can place each
country’s existing policy in context through documenting the livestock policies in different
countries, establishing the variations in terms of contradictions and complementarities.
Policy Perspectives on animal genetic improvement
The challenge posed by attempting to increase livestock production and productivity through
improved animal genetics has elicited many purportedly supportive policy initiatives. However,
the key issues revolve around promoting mixed breeds vis pure breeds, the process of
establishment of reference laboratories, the supply of available and affordable genetic material,
modalities for the promotion of increased private sector involvement in animal genetics service
provision and enhancement of trade in animal genetics between African countries and across
regions. This process can only be enhanced by designing an integrated approach that brings
together countries and disciplines. Additionally, this can be facilitated by harmonization of
animal genetic material standards and legislations in the regions and eventually the continent.
This process is nonetheless constrained by the lack of a lead agency or coordinating body. It
would therefore be appropriate to establish a regional animal genetics and breeding platform
charged with these responsibilities.
Policy Perspectives on sustaining genetic diversity
The rapid erosion of indigenous traits and the attendant threat of lack of genetic diversity in
African countries in the near future call for drastic measures. There is evidently a clear need to
stem the increasing loss of genetic diversity. Policy provisions that mandate and designate the
responsibility for animal genetic diversity by maintaining indigenous traits to specific institutions
are therefore critical. This is necessary in the public interest and for posterity.
Policy Perspectives on metabolic disorders
Productivity losses emanating from lack of prevention and inability to effectively contain
metabolic disorders have been observed to be on the increase. This can be attributed to the
declining emphasis on basic animal husbandry practices and consequently shows the need for
policies that support the strengthening of extension services in the livestock sector.
Policy perspectives on the pig industry
Recent analysis of the livestock sector reveals significant growth potential and business
prospects for the pig industry in the coming years. To exploit these opportunities research shows
that the industry requires the introduction of new breeds and avoidance of inbreeding. This
requires the adoption of innovative breeding techniques including artificial insemination.

5. However, the current pig industry set-up in most African countries do not have any frameworks
to support these initiatives and will be critical enhancing the exploitation of the perceived
business opportunities in the pig industry.
Policy perspectives on the poultry industry
The use of Kuroiler poultry (a mixed ) has shown notable potential for alleviating extreme
poverty while also providing prospects for improved nutrition in the rural areas. These efforts are
nonetheless impeded by the absence of a policy framework and legislation governing the
introduction of new breeds and the subsequent crossing of kuroiler with indigenous breeds.
Policy perspectives on the management of Aflatoxins
The regional management of Aflatoxins is hampered by the absence of harmonized standards
and an integrated approach across countries and disciplines. The birth and approach taken by the
Pan African Control of Aflatoxins (PACA) under the African Union is commended and should
be supported by all countries – so as to unify control of this scourge.
Policy perspectives on the use of financial incentives in the livestock sector
The effective use of finance in the livestock faces constraints associated with various myths that
coupled with subsidies that distort market signals. These require supportive policy frameworks
that enhance the use of finance in the development of the livestock sector. Similar conditions are
experienced in the enhancement of prospects offered in the exploitation of economies of scale in
the acquisition of inputs and the marketing of outputs.
Policy perspectives on global agenda
The global agenda offers provisions for enhancing knowledge and incentives in the livestock
sector. However operationalization of the multistakeholder platform presents a challenge that
will require some interventions. Lessons learned from existing platforms (even outside the
Livestock sector) are crucial. Policies encouraging multistakeholder approaches and recognition
of different players with different mandates is important. Linking livestock as a powerful tool to
social and economic development at national, continental and global level needs to be
emphasized.
Policy perspectives on the African agenda.
It is recognized that Policy formulation and implementation at the continental level is very
challenging and limited. Capacity building of African institutions is essential from research
findings to delivery at beneficiary level. Policies to strengthen policy institutions and creating a
enabling policy environment is critical. This should be channeled and spearheaded where
possible through regional economic communities. Recognition of African initiatives such as
CAADP are also important and need to be driven by good results oriented leadership at
continental and national level.