Standards Methods and Procedures(SMP) for Export Quarantine in the GHoA

Foreword

The arid and semi-arid lands of the Horn of Africa (HOA) are home to poor and vulnerable populations, the majority of whom rely on livestock to sustain livelihoods. However, the performance of livestock in the region remains low, given the widespread occurrence of transboundary animal diseases (TADs) that are responsible for production losses, and reduced
performance of intra- and inter-regional trade in livestock and livestock products. Because of disease outbreaks, live animal exports have been severely constrained during the past two decades, by bans imposed by importing countries to reduce risks associated with these diseases.

To address the negative impact of TADs on livestock trade, AU-IBAR and ICPALD together with the participating countries in the region, with financial support from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), have developed a framework to support harmonization and coordination of the control of the diseases, referred to as the Standard Methods and Procedures (SMP) Approach. The SMP approach involves strengthening capacities of member states for surveillance, epidemiology, laboratory diagnostics, disease control programmes, and communications. The fundamental aspect of the approach is the linking of disease prevention and control activities in a country, to a set of regional minimum standards and procedures for TADs
prevention and control in line with the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) standards.

The minimum standards, procedures, methods and goals for a particular disease are contained in an individual SMPs. It deals with subject areas of surveillance, laboratory procedures and disease control, and states minimum standards, procedures and goals that must be met for harmonized regional control of a disease.
This booklet presents the SMPs for Export Quarantines, and deals with the specific dynamics of Export Quarantines.

The compilation of the materials in the SMPs for Export Quarantines, taking into consideration the characteristics of the Greater Horn of Africa, was made possible by technical experts from the region with technical support from AU-IBAR, FAO, OIE and AU-PANVAC. AU-IBAR is indebted to many scientists who reviewed the document and especially to Dr. James Wabacha the coordinator of the SMP-AH project for coordinating the preparation of the SMPs.

The SMPs for Export Quarantines targets field veterinary personnel, policy makers, laboratory personnel, veterinary students and Quarantine Station Managers in the region.

Professor Ahmed El-Sawalhy
Director
African Union Inter-African Bureau for Animal Resources (AU-IBAR)