The new identification protocol is also expected to help manage animal health and disease control.

“By adopting the Pretoria Declaration on Animal Identification and Recording Systems for Traceability and Livestock Development, the countries have affirmed their commitment to identification of animals and recording of their movements and health and put in place measures such as surveillance, early detection and notification of outbreaks, rapid response, control of animal movements, and zoning or compartmentalization,” said FAO Representative in South Africa, Tobias Takavarasha.

Livestock is one of the most important and fastest growing agricultural subsectors in developing countries, fuelled by increasing demand for animal products.

Livestock accounts for 37 per cent of agricultural Gross Domestic Product and it continues to grow. Despite the rapid growth globally, animal production (meat, milk and eggs) in Sub-Saharan Africa is increasing at a slower pace.

A substantial and sustained increase in animal production and productivity is therefore required and animal identification, performance recording and traceability can significantly contribute to the much needed growth.

The Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme targets an annual growth rate of 4.2 percent for the livestock sector by enhancing the role of livestock in agricultural intensification and promotion of market-based livestock development.

Improving Animal Genetic Resources

Animal Identification and performance recording systems are also key to genetic improvement and to better herd and flock management and, thus, enable sustained productivity gains.

This has amply been demonstrated in many countries where decades of performance recording and selection have resulted in remarkable improvements in animal productivity, particularly in the commercial sector. “

Africa needs investment in animal identification and performance recording to become competitive in the markets for breeding animals as well as animals for consumption,” said Irene Hoffmann, Chief of FAO’s Animal Genetic Resources programme.

Presentations and group discussions during the Symposium provided ample examples for the integrated approach and multipurpose benefits from animal identification and recording.

“This holistic approach is nicely illustrated in the FAO guidelines for the development of integrated and multipurpose animal recording systems that were designed to support countries in the development of such systems,” said Badi Besbes, FAO Animal Production Officer.