The workshop, which is organized by the Commonwealth Veterinary Association in conjunction with the Samoa Veterinary Association, will be attended by over 100 veterinarians/paraveterinarians from across the Pacific island region and beyond.
The workshop theme will be “Protection, Production and Progress in the Pacific.”
The workshop will address a number of relevant issues and challenges. These include emerging diseases such as avian influenza, border biosecurity, livestock production, food security and safety, animal welfare, veterinary education and even wildlife.
The CVA, an NGO committed to promoting the veterinary profession, is working closely with a principal partner, the Secretariat of the Pacific Community as well as with USP in staging this important gathering. Other partners/sponsors include Norbrook, a major pharmaceutical company, FAO, IFAW and WSPA — both animal welfare organizations — as well as AusAID, NZAID, Pacificvet and CTA.
Livestock have had a long history in the Pacific islands and are important for food and culturally.
More recently, animals are becoming of increasing value for many other reasons, including companionship, security and tourism.
The recent increases in fuel and imported food costs, coupled with growing threats and risks of disease introduction as well as the challenges of climate change, make this event most timely.
The workshop will bring together experts from all over the world including the Caribbean, Africa and Canada to share knowledge, best practice and experiences.
The opportunity which the gathering provides to often scattered and isolated animal health and production workers to learn, exchange and network on many issues of concern, is a major one. Pacific island states from both sides of the equator will be participating and will include even very remote atolls such as Tokelau.
A number of corporate organizations involved in livestock production will also participate as will several animal welfare entities.
Participants will also travel from Australia, New Zealand, Malaysia and Singapore.
The presentations will be given in a large file on the Alafua campus giving participants the experience of the atmosphere of a traditional Polynesian meeting.
In addition to receiving technical presentations, workshop participants will visit livestock development projects in Samoa, where they will observe practical examples of livestock production systems, including that of the tropical meat sheep which has been recently developed in Fiji.
There is considerable potential for livestock to make a greater contribution to food security and sustainable livelihoods in the Pacific island region and this workshop will make a contribution to that process.
