The Federal Government on Wednesday inaugurated the National Strategic Documents for the Control of Transboundary Animal Diseases (TADs).
The documents are focused on containing Contagious Bovine Pleuropneumonia, African Trypanosomiasis and Tick Borne Diseases, Foot and Mouth Disease in cattle.
Others are Peste Des Petits Ruminants in sheep and goats, African Swine Fever in pigs and Newcastle disease in chickens, among others.
Vice- President, Prof Yemi Osinbajo who inaugurated the seven documents said TADs accounted for more than N29 billion annual losses in Nigeria’s livestock sub-sector.
Osinbajo who was represented by Minister of Health, Dr Osagie Ehanire, said that the strategic documents were developed in line with the priority accorded the agricultural sector by the federal government.
“As we may be aware, transboundary animal diseases are one of the most economically devastating diseases of livestock in the West and Central Africa sub- region.
“In Nigeria, it is responsible for more than 29 billion-naira losses annually in the livestock sub-sector.
“Through mortality, morbidity and trade restrictions on Nigeria occasioned by the endemicity of some of these diseases in the country,” he said.
Osinbajo said that the strategic documents had received wide stakeholders inputs and contributions before validation.
He expressed the hope that the seven strategic documents would be used for the good of the livestock industry in Nigeria and humanity in general.
In an address, Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr Mohammad Abubakar said TADs have no respect for borders and remained of immense concern to Nigeria.
He said that the control of TADs was necessary in order to maximise livestock production and productivity in the country.
“The federal government has taken the lead in this regard, there is therefore the need for collaboration and partnership among the three tiers of government to ensure sharing of knowledge.
“As well as new initiatives, identifying interventions, pooling resources together and implementing animal disease control programmes across the county,” he said.
The minister said the ministry plan to have Primary Animal Health Centres in all the 774 local government areas of Nigeria.
In a remark, Minister of Women Affairs, Dame Pauline Tallen, said that the implementation of the strategic documents would help to keep both animals and humans safe.
Also, the Chief Veterinary Officer Nigeria, Dr Maimuna Habib explained that the strategic documents would serve as guide for the control and eradication of TADs in the country, in line with global best practices. (NAN)
