This regional model legal framework provides a general guideline for the implementation of a livestock identification and traceability system (LITS) in the IGAD member states through its subsequent adaption to national laws. The instrument is based on the fact that all the markets that today import livestock or livestock products are increasingly requesting that the animal health status of animals are known and traced properly. To successfully protect public health, food safety and contain or respond to an outbreak of an infectious animal disease, a system for identifying and tracking animals is a prerequisite. To be effective a LITS system requires two basic components, an identification system and a system that tracks an animal, or group of animals, along the value chain to the final destination. The regional LITS legal framework has a total of six (Parts, 49 Articles and three (III) Schedules, summarized under the following topics: Part I, Preliminary Provisions; Part II, Administration and Governance of LITS; Part III, Implementation of LITS, with subtitles (Registration Process and Keeping of Records, Establishment of Central Database and Registration of Animals thereon, Movement and Traceability of Animals, and Animal Identification); Part IV, Inspection and Enforcement of LITS Process; Part V, Regional/ International Cooperation and Harmonisation of Regulation of LITS; Part VI, Miscellaneous Provisions. It also contains last chapters of 1st Schedules, Approved AIDS, 2nd Schedule, the Regional Requirements of the LITS under national Acts to be derived from this legal framework and 3rd Schedule, Role of ICPALD in Regional LITS Initiative.
2016-05-01