CM/Res.879 (XXXVII)
RESOLUTION ON ANIMAL RESOURCES – LIVESTOCK DISEASES, AND LIVESTOCK DEVELOPMENT IN AFRICA
The Council of Ministers of the Organization of African Unity meeting in its Thirty- seventh Ordinary Session in Nairobi, Kenya from 15 - 26 June 1981,
Noting with satisfaction the achievement of Inter-African Bureau for Animal Resources of the OAU, as contained in Document CM/11147 (XXXVII),
Noting with interest the emergency action taken by the OAU/IBAR in collaboration with other international organizations and with the financial support of the EEC and FAO to bring under control the recent outbreaks of Rinderpest in some Member States of West Africa,
Stressing the importance to Member States of undertaking the established follow-up measures so as to reduce the risks of the disease reappearing,
Realizing that the knowledge and the technology now exist to undertake eradication of this disease,
Taking note of the epizootiological survey undertaken in West Africa, which indicated that Rinderpest, Contagious Bovine Pleuropneumonia and Trypanosomiasis remain one of the major livestock diseases in this region,
Considering the transmitance of livestock from one country to another,
Being aware of the fact that numerous diseases are quite often transported and spread during these periodic movements,
Noting with satisfaction the efforts already made by the Secretary-General to obtain funds to undertake an epizootiological survey in Eastern and Central Africa, similar to that already carried out in Western Africa,
Gratified by the initiative taken by the President of the Republic of The Gambia,
H.E. Sir Dawda Jawara, to establish an International Centre for Applied Research and Training in Trypanotolerant livestock in Africa,
Noting the important role such a Centre could play in increasing food production in Africa,
Noting with satisfaction the successful drawing for the first time, of maps showing the distribution of sheep and goats in Africa,
Realizing the importance of such maps when Member States plan their research and development strategies:
REQUESTS the OAU Secretary-General to maintain and strengthen the existing fruitful co-operation between the OAU, the relevant international organizations and bilateral assistance agencies in the field of animal resources development in Africa;
RECOMMENDS that the OAU in co-operation with other organizations, explore the possibilities and means to eradicate Rinderpest in the Continent of Africa;
REQUESTS the Secretary-General to intensify efforts to obtain funds to undertake epizootiological disease surveys in Eastern and Central Africa aiming at controlling and eventually eradicating the major diseases in Africa;
FURTHER REQUESTS the Secretary-General to convey to the President of the Republic of The Gambia, H.E.Sir Dawda Jawara, the appreciation of the
Council for initiating and accepting to host an International Centre for Applied Research and Training in Trypanotolerant Livestock in Africa;
COMMENDS the OAU Secretariat for its efforts in drawing the first Distribution Maps for sheep and goats in Africa and RECOMMENDS that efforts be made to update these Maps regularly in the light of new adequate data.