News and updates on research on livestock value chains by the International Livestock Research Institute and partners

Saturday, July 31, 2010

Kenya's informal milk and meat sectors targeted for improved food safety

At a Nairobi workshop, food safety experts have recognized and targeted the informal sector in discussions on reducing the risk of milk- and meat-borne diseases in Kenya.

The workshop brought together officials from the Kenya Bureau of Standards, the Kenya Dairy Board, the University of Nairobi, the Department of Veterinary Services at the Ministry of Livestock Development, the International Livestock Research Institute's (ILRI) Market Opportunities theme and GTZ's program on Private Sector Development in Agriculture (PSDA). It was jointly organized by ILRI's GTZ-funded Safe Food, Fair Food project and the GTZ's PDSA program.

Improving the safety of food delivered by Kenya's informal milk and meat value chains would impact millions of consumers, traders and farmers, because it is the provider of the great majority of animal-source foods, and is a significant employer.

The meeting resolved to enhance dialogue and information sharing amongst government, research and assistance partners, to inform and complement existing structures. This particularly addressed the informal sector.

In addition, a commitment was made towards greater efforts in disseminating information to users. This will involve transferring the existing information and tools (particularly training material and key elements of food safety legislation) to informal food sector participants.

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