FAO Approves $350,000 Support for Nigeria to Tackle Bird Flu

The Federal Ministry of Livestock Development and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations have agreed on measures to strengthen animal health systems and control livestock diseases in Nigeria. The agreement was reached during a meeting between the Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Mukhtar Maiha, and the FAO Representative to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Dr. Hussein Gadain, in Abuja.

The Minister said disease control is essential to improving livestock productivity and protecting farmers’ livelihoods. He noted that drought, feed shortages, wildlife interaction and cross-border livestock movement have contributed to the spread of animal diseases in some areas.

FAO announced the approval of an emergency Technical Cooperation Programme valued at 350,000 dollars to support Nigeria’s response to the outbreak of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza. The support will assist containment efforts in eleven affected states and strengthen surveillance and response systems.

The meeting also reviewed progress on the campaign to eradicate Peste des Petits Ruminants affecting sheep and goats. Officials said a national technical meeting will be convened to review Nigeria’s eradication strategy and assess vaccine production capacity at the National Veterinary Research Institute.