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New funding for Sub-Saharan livestock care
Zoetis will use the funding to improve access to veterinary products and services for small-scale livestock farmers.
The Gates Foundation grant aims to reduce impact of livestock diseases.

The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation has awarded a grant of US$15.3 million (£12.75 million) to Zoetis to improve veterinary care and diagnostic services in Sub-Saharan Africa.

The funding will allow the animal health company to expand its existing African Livestock Productivity and Health Advancement (A.L.P.H.A) scheme to more countries, helping smallholder farms to access diagnostic tools and veterinary products and services.

The initiative will put a particular focus on supporting female farmers. Women-led, female-only training courses will be held to increase participation in the scheme among women.

The original initiative, which received funding from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation in 2017, aimed to tackle livestock disease by creating affordable and sustainable access to animal health products for farmers involved in poultry, dairy and beef production. Starting in Ethiopia, Nigeria and Uganda, the scheme later expanded to include Tanzania.

The new funding will see the initiative expand further over the next five years under the new name African Livestock Productivity and Health Advancement Plus (A.L.P.H.A. Plus). Kenya, Ivory Coast and five more markets from Sub-Saharan will be included.

There will also now be support from the scheme for small-scale fish producers working in Lake Victoria and Lake Volta, reflecting the fast growth of tilapia as a food source in the region.

To successfully implement the programme, Zoetis and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation will work alongside the public and private sector, including local veterinary associations, farmer associations, NGOs and governmental authorities.

Kristin Peck, chief executive officer of Zoetis, said: “Access to medicines and technology will help farmers raise healthier animals, improve productivity and secure more sustainable revenue, which is critical to the economic development and well-being of the region and its population.”

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Defra shares new Sanitary and Phytosanitary guidance

News Story 1
 Defra has published guidance for the vet sector ahead of a proposed UK-EU Sanitary and Phytosanitary agreement.

The agreement, which will change the movement and trade of animals and related products, could see reductions in checks, paperwork and certification. As well as describing regulatory developments, the advice highlights the importance of animal ID, registration and traceability in disease control and other compliance arrangements.

The guidance can be found here. More detail is expected as negotiations progress. 

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News Shorts
Lords Committee opens Pet Parasite Medication inquiry

The House of Lords Environment and Climate Change Committee will launch its inquiry into Pet Parasite Medication (PPM) on Wednesday (3 June).

Focusing on treatments containing fipronil and imidacloprid, the inquiry will seek to understand distribution pathways and the impacts of PPM use and non-use on biodiversity and human health. It will also cover current regulation, monitoring, and the potential implications for pets and their owners.

The committee will hear evidence from environmental non-governmental organisations and research institutes. The public can follow the proceedings live on Parliament TV or in person in the Palace of Westminster.