The State of Qatar recently hosted the 46th preparatory meeting of the Permanent Committee for Livestock, chaired by the Ministry of Municipality. The meeting brought together Ministers and senior officials from the Gulf Cooperation Council countries to discuss various topics related to animal affairs and ways to develop them among the GCC countries. One of the key topics on the agenda was the initiatives for unified collective purchasing of veterinary medicines and vaccines, as well as central registration of veterinary preparations to strengthen cooperation with the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) for the GCC countries.
Additionally, the meeting focused on enhancing capabilities to deal with epidemic diseases and developing the Gulf center for early warning of animal diseases. The center’s achievements report for 2023 was reviewed, along with the technical team’s recommendations to develop its capabilities in dealing with transboundary diseases. The need to update the executive regulations of the preventive measures against infectious and epidemic animal diseases law was emphasized to ensure the effectiveness of preventive measures.
Furthermore, the meeting discussed strengthening the capabilities of veterinary laboratories in the GCC countries to increase their efficiency in diagnosing and controlling diseases, which plays a strategic role in reducing the effects of disease outbreaks on livestock. It was also stressed that facilitating the movement of consignments of live animals between the GCC countries is crucial for trade cooperation and ensuring the safe and sustainable provision of supplies. Establishing a unified system for entry to standardize veterinary procedures and improve the efficiency of inspection at border crossings was highlighted as a priority.
The meeting also addressed the Gulf plan to combat bacterial resistance to antibiotics in the veterinary field, with a focus on unifying efforts to confront this phenomenon effectively. The outcomes of a workshop held in Jeddah were reviewed with the participation of all member states, and there was an emphasis on strengthening cooperation between the Permanent Committee of Livestock and the sub-regional office of the WOAH to improve animal health and enhance food security in the Gulf countries.
Overall, the preparatory meeting served as a platform to discuss important issues related to livestock affairs in the GCC countries and to lay the groundwork for the upcoming meeting of Ministers and senior officials. The discussions and recommendations made during the meeting will play a crucial role in guiding future policies and initiatives aimed at strengthening cooperation, enhancing capabilities, and ensuring the health and safety of livestock in the region.
