Policies for prophylaxis, epidemiological surveillance, treatment of bovine diseases and zoonoses in the DR Congo from 1960 to 2023

Abstract

The World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) and the World Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) affirm in their various reports that animal production and health have a major role to play in food security, in the Economy and in the Public Health of Nations, particularly poor populations. The Veterinary Public Health and Food Safety report (OIE,2016) highlights the importance of veterinary public health in preventing zoonotic diseases and securing products of animal origin, such as meat. Furthermore, it highlights the need for international collaboration between governments, health organizations and scientific institutions to strengthen capacity to respond to emerging threats and prevent health crises. Despite its multiple and varied expectations for livestock, the Democratic Republic of Congo does not have a global, inclusive and coherent policy to address all of these key recommendations from the FAO and the OIE. Veterinary and livestock laws date from the colonial period, before 1960, and have never been revisited, contextualized and formally adopted. In addition, the almost permanent limitation of the financial resources granted, despite the political will and the weakness of the governance of the cattle sector on production, public health and the income of farmers with the consequence of enormous losses. The Private Sector Development Support Program (PADSP) considers that the bovine production and health sector in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) remains characterized by insufficient reliable information, a lack of clear strategic orientations and appropriate instruments for developing the sector and sustainable management of bovine resources.

Keywords: Policies, prophylaxis, epidemiological surveillance, cattle, RDC