Africa debates intracontinental livestock policy
Africa needs better policies and coordination to help it reduce imports of animal products such as leather shoes while having a substantial livestock population, according to attendees of a Kenya-based meeting of the African Union Inter-African Bureau for Animal Resources.
Local press reported the continent imported about $10.2 billion worth of livestock and livestock products last year but exported only $3.8 billion.
Dr Solomon Munyua, a livestock trade expert, said: "This reflects weak policy implementation and poor coordination rather than limited production capacity."
Dr Christopher Wanga, Kenya's director of Livestock Policy Research and Regulations, added: "We are very eager to implement provisions that facilitate free livestock trade across the continent.”
