UN hails new livestock trade initiative

The United Nations has welcomed a new initiative to support the development and export of Somali livestock and meat products. The initiative setting up a common Somali Livestock Board (SLB) was launched under the auspices of the Dubai-based Somali Business Council, according to a press statement by the UN Development Programme for Somalia and the Food and Agriculture Organisation. The meeting earlier this month brought together the business community and representatives from the Transitional National Government, the self-declared republic of Somaliland and the self-declared autonomous region of Puntland, along with representatives of the importing countries. Through an improved system of disease surveillance, inspection and certification, the SLB could help the industry meet the requirements of importing countries for disease-free livestock and meat products originating from Somalia, the statement noted.