Nigeria, UNIDO: Livestock Export System Plan to Boost Global Exports

• Nigeria's Federal Ministry of Livestock Development is collaborating with UNIDO to enhance livestock traceability and food safety.
• The initiative aims to boost Nigeria's capacity to export meat, honey, and other livestock products by meeting international standards.
• Key focus areas include animal identification, laboratory capacity, certification, and compliance with global trade requirements.
• UNIDO will provide technical support for digital identification technologies, infrastructure, software, and capacity building.
• The project seeks to strengthen animal health, build consumer confidence, and facilitate access to international markets for Nigerian exports.

The proposed collaboration is designed to significantly enhance Nigeria's ability to export honey, red meat, and various other livestock products by ensuring they are traceable, thoroughly tested, and certified to meet stringent international requirements.

The Nigerian Federal Government has initiated discussions with the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO) to develop a comprehensive system aimed at bolstering the nation's livestock sector. These talks, disclosed by the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development following an engagement on Tuesday, focus on technical collaboration to enhance livestock traceability, improve food safety standards, and significantly increase Nigeria's capacity to export products such as meat, honey, and other derivatives.

The proposed partnership outlines several key areas of focus. These include the establishment of robust animal identification and traceability mechanisms, the upgrading of laboratory capabilities, the implementation of stringent certification processes, and ensuring full compliance with international trade requirements. This strategic move underscores Nigeria's ambition to position itself as a competitive player in the global agricultural export market, particularly for livestock products.

Central to this initiative is the development of a sophisticated animal identification and traceability system, which the Ministry's Permanent Secretary, Chinyere Akujobi, highlighted as crucial for the livestock sector's growth and export expansion. Akujobi emphasized that international trading partners demand verifiable systems capable of tracking livestock and their products throughout the entire value chain, making such a framework indispensable for market access. Beyond exports, she stressed that any quality and safety measures implemented must also extend to protect Nigerian consumers, ensuring standards apply equally to both international and domestic markets.

The Ministry is actively working on establishing a policy framework for animal identification and traceability and is seeking UNIDO's technical expertise in critical areas. This includes guidance on infrastructure development, software solutions, and capacity building. Furthermore, the Ministry is exploring various identification technologies, such as tags and microchips, with a keen eye on affordability, the availability of necessary equipment, and the long-term sustainability for local farmers. Other identified priorities include creating disease-free zones, enhancing biosecurity measures, training federal and state veterinary inspectors, and upgrading existing laboratory infrastructure.

UNIDO has expressed its readiness to provide substantial technical assistance to Nigeria for this ambitious undertaking. Adalberto Vieira, UNIDO's Regional Programme Manager, confirmed the organization's capability to support the deployment of digital technologies for livestock identification and traceability. He articulated that integrating animal identification with comprehensive databases would not only strengthen animal health but also build consumer confidence and facilitate greater access to international markets.

Drawing on its successful track record, UNIDO has previously implemented similar livestock identification and traceability systems in other nations. The organization is also prepared to bolster Nigeria's testing and food safety systems, offering support for laboratory capacity enhancements, inspector training, and certification processes. Additionally, UNIDO will assist in evaluating existing national and regional capacities to pinpoint critical gaps that need addressing, ensuring a targeted and effective approach to the project.

The proposed collaboration is designed to significantly enhance Nigeria's ability to export honey, red meat, and various other livestock products by ensuring they are traceable, thoroughly tested, and certified to meet stringent international requirements. This strategic partnership between Nigeria and UNIDO represents a concerted effort to elevate the country's agricultural export standards, paving the way for increased market penetration and economic growth within the livestock sector. The establishment of a robust Nigeria UNIDO livestock export system plan is expected to unlock new opportunities for producers and contribute to the nation's overall economic diversification.

Lawyers advising Nigerian agricultural exporters, particularly in livestock and related products, should closely monitor the development of these new traceability and certification policies. These upcoming regulations will be critical for ensuring client compliance with international trade requirements and maintaining market access.

Source: Original reporting via Punch Newspapers