Legal workshop on animal identification and traceability systems in the Caribbean
Animal identification and traceability (AIT) systems are a powerful tool for countries to trace animals throughout their entire life cycle. Depending on the objectives of the countries, these systems can translate into relevant benefits regarding animal health and zoonosis prevention, public health and food safety, internal and international trade, livestock emergency management, and animal breeding.
Over the past two years, FAO has supported the development of AIT systems and related legal frameworks in five countries in the Caribbean (Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Guyana, Saint Lucia, and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines). Under this project, over 46 technical staff have been trained in the management of the system, guidance materials have been developed and the logistics for the establishment of the systems from a technical and IT perspective have been advanced. Further, FAO's Development Law Service (LEGN) has provided legal assistance in reviewing national legal frameworks relevant to setting up AIT systems, according to international reference standards.
On October 19 and 20, 2023, FAO in the Subregional Office for the Caribbean and LEGN held a final validation workshop on the legal component of this subregional project on AIT in Castries, Saint Lucia. Representatives from Antigua and Barbuda, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, as well as from the CARICOM Secretariat attended this workshop in person. Representatives from Barbados and Guyana joined the event online.
During the workshop, the national legal assessments conducted for each country as well as the Implementing Model Regulations for the establishment of AIT systems drafted by LEGN were presented and discussed. The countries were trained in the core regulatory elements of AIT, and a practical exercise was conducted on the key regulatory decisions required for the design of the legal framework for AIT.
A consensus was reached at the workshop on the importance of establishing the legal foundation for AIT systems in primary law and defining their structure and operation in secondary law. Countries also agreed on the importance of promoting a regional approach to AIT. This will allow countries to multiply the benefits of these systems for the entire region.