Training on import risk analysis
Dhulikhel-A weeklong training on import risk analysis designed for Government veterinary officials and other relevant stakeholders kicked off on 12 March 2019 in Dhulikhel.
Addressing the opening session of the training, Mr Bimal Kumar Nirmal, Director-General at the Department of Livestock Service, said that trainers and participants should focus on the country specific problems such as import of live animals, parent stock chicken, veterinary drugs, vaccines for different livestock, chemicals and fish seeds.
Altogether 15 veterinarians are participating in the training which is being facilitated by Dr Stephen Page and Ms Kate Wingett form Australia.
Prime objective of the training was to impart knowledge and working skills to the trainees in Import Risk Analysis and develop Master Trainers within the Department of Livestock Services and other relevant stakeholders on applied Import Risk Analysis.The training was organized by the project OSRO/NEP/401/USA (Immediate Technical Assistance to Strengthen Emergency Preparedness for Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI). The project has been implemented from October 2014 by the Department of Livestock Services, which is funded by USAID and technically supported by FAO.
Import Risk Analysis (IRA), has been largely driven by the Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) agreement of the World Trade Organization (WTO). Nepal being a member of WTO has to follow WTO rules including Agreement on Application of SPS measures and the IRA standard established by the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE), a standard setting organization on international trade in animal and their products, are important for international market access.
SPS agreement aimed to achieve a balance between free trade and the protection of human, animal and plant life by seeking a more consistent and formal approach to the assessment of disease risks associated with trade.
Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development (MoALD) is responsible for implementation of SPS measures while the Department of Livestock Services (DLS) is the Focal implementing agency for Animal Health Service delivery system throughout the country. Risks Analysis including its components (Risk Assessment, Risk Management and Risk Communication) is the major tools for implementation of SPS measures, especially during the importation of the live animals/ poultry/fish and products of animal origin including production materials.
Nepal is primarily dependent upon import on live animals, parent stock chicken, veterinary drugs, vaccines for different livestock, chemicals, and agro-seed. Besides, large volume of livestock products (even fresh /raw and /or packed food materials of animal origin) enters into Nepal daily especially from the neighbouring and other foreign countries.Such imports may be harbouring or contaminated with different microbial agents as well as drug residue, etc and pose a great risk of introducing new diseases/ pests into Nepal. http://www.fao.org/nepal/news/add-news/en/c/1184967/