Mangochi — Government has stressed the need for sustainable early warning systems to detect and prevent the occurrence of diseases in small livestock called peste des petit which usually attack goats and sheep to avoid loss of such animals.

"There is need to consider sustainable early warning systems to effectively contain both emerging and re-emerging diseases.

"Peste des petit which is caused by a virus has the potential of killing 50 million sheep at once which can be a severe blow to the region's efforts of livestock production," Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Dr. James Munthali said.

The Minister made the remarks on Tuesday in Mangochi when he opened a week-long regional inception workshop on capacity building for the prevention of peste des petit in ruminants (PPR).

Munthali observed that goat and sheep plaque which had already been detected in neighbouring Tanzania was so devastating that it can lead to 100 per cent loss of the livestock at one single time.

"It is obvious that our neighbours have the propensity to consume a lot of meat and meat products from Malawi hence the launch of the initiative to cordon off any possibility of an outbreak critical to containing diseases of economic importance," Munthali emphasised.

He said since the country had embraced the notion of prevention as the best remedy, it was important to share the same concept with neighbouring countries in the Southern African Development Community to safeguard the sector which was crucial to the economy and food security.

Munthali further observed that livestock production in the country had registered tremendous growth in the past five years, attributing the success to good animal husbandry practices on one hand and reduction on slaughtering of female stocks on the other.

"For example, the population of chickens has grown to 4.9 million as a result of improved production by private institutions, the country's leadership is also committed to the improvement of livestock production," he explained.

The Minister pointed out that president Dr. Joyce Banda has passion for livestock production and has since introduced the presidential initiative on small stock production which follows the pass-on principle.

He, therefore, expressed gratitude to development partners in containing further spread of such diseases. He disclosed that government plans to open a veterinary school under the Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources to promote livestock production at all levels.

FAO Deputy Resident Representative, Alick Nkhoma reiterated that United Nations affiliate would remain committed to containment of trans-boundary animal diseases such as foot and mouth disease in cattle, noting that such diseases pose a threat to food security.

"Let me assure this gathering that FAO remains committed to containing any threat to food security and any other challenge that may hinder sustainable agricultural productivity," Nkhoma pledged.

Director of Animal Health and Livestock Development, Dr. Ben Chimera said the regional initiative was timely as it would assist neighbouring countries in particular and the region in general with viable strategies to avert PPR.

"This intervention is coming at a time when countries like Tanzania, Angola and DRC are struggling to contain PPR. It will, therefore, go a long way in building resilience of communities in the three countries to protect their ruminants on which they depend for a living," he noted. The meeting, supported by the Food and Agricultural Organization, has attracted participants from three countries of Malawi, Mozambique and Zambia.