A new deal to rid Eastern Europe, the Caucasus and Central Asia of obsolete pesticides

The EU and FAO invest in model for hazardous waste management and sustainable crop protection

A partnership to protect human health and the environment

Twelve countries in Eastern Europe, the Caucasus and Central Asia will start working with the European Union (EU) and FAO to manage their vast stocks of...

Desert Locust Control in West and Northwest Africa

Between 2006 and 2011, four desert locust outbreaks were successfully controlled in Mauritania and Niger, in large part due to a multi-partner preventive control programme that strengthened the countries’ surveillance, control and environmental monitoring capacities. The programme, which includes ten countries in west and northwest Africa, is now entering its...

Global pact against plant pests marks 60 years in action

FAO celebrates anniversary of creation of the International Plant Protection Convention

FAO today marked the 60^th anniversary of the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC), a treaty established in 1952 to help prevent plant pests and diseases from spreading across international boundaries via international trade.

The origins of the convention can be...

FAO appeals for urgent Horn of Africa funds

Funding needed to build strength against crisis

FAO today urgently appealed for $50 million to cover the funding gap for priority agricultural and pastoral activities that must be carried out in the Horn of Africa before and during the next planting season, which coincides with the rainy season from April to...

Major foot-and-mouth outbreak in Egypt threatens the region

Mobilizing vaccines, strong regional coordinated action crucial

Urgent action is required to control a major outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease and prevent its spread throughout North Africa and the Middle East, which could have serious implications for food security in the region, FAO warned today. With vaccines urgently needed, international and regional...

Alliance to combat black market in counterfeit veterinary drugs

Fake medicines undermine animal health, food security – new drug standards will help

The UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the International Federation for Animal Health (IFAH) are working to establish the first published pharmaceutical standards for medicines used in treating Animal African Trypanosomosis, commonly known as Nagana.

Transmitted by the...

FAO Director-General assists in deworming a goat herd near the border with Ethiopia in Dollow, Somalia

Though the United Nations recently declared an end to the lethal famine in Somalia, FAO Director-General Jose Graziano da Silva recently underlined that without continuing assistance to people across the Horn of Africa -- in Kenya, Ethiopia and Djibouti – the number of deaths from hunger could rise again. In...

FAO to help conflict-scattered families in South Sudan

Vaccines, fishing, planting supplies needed before rains

The UN Food and Agriculture Organization is helping the people of the conflict-affected, South Sudanese state of Jonglei feed themselves and rebuild their lives through a series of emergency and long-term actions.

Working with the local community, FAO is supporting the distribution of livestock vaccines,...

Cassava virus on verge of epidemic in East Africa

Experts urge funding, swift action to protect staple food crop

A new variant of a cassava disease is affecting large parts of East Africa, especially in the area's Great Lakes Region, putting a crucial source of food and income at risk, according to the UN Food and Agriculture Organization.  

FAO experts...

Mali, better prepared to respond to Desert Locust crisis

Mali tests its National Locust Emergency Response Plan with nine neighbouring countries  

First of its kind, Mali organized a simulation exercise to test and improve, during a calm period, its state of preparedness for the effective management and response to an eventual Desert Locust crisis.