Animal Source Foods Quality and Safety Standards Implementation in Uganda. A Review

Abstract Background The agriculture sector is crucial in economic development of Uganda, with products generating revenue at local, regional (neighbouring countries) and global markets (especially European Union and Arab countries). To maintain market access and competitiveness at the regional and global levels, there is a high demand for consumer protection, compliance to international guidelines, standards and regulations. The mandate to regulate the quality of animal source foods (ASFs) for consumption mainly lies with the government agencies at central and hardly at local levels. In Uganda, regulation is undertaken by National Bureau of Standards and Law enforcement (UNBS) with support from the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries as well as Ministry of trade. Considerable efforts have been undertaken to promote good food standards, quality and safety but have not been successful due to limited holistic involvement of other food value chain stakeholders. To mitigate this challenge, we propose to build capacity of the various animal source foods value chain stakeholders through sensitizations on food safety standards and regulations. This proposition emanates from recommendations made following baseline studies conducted in the different ASF value chains under the Makerere University research and innovations funds first phase. Methodology An online search and desk review was conducted for animal source food safety laws, regulations and policies in Uganda and food safety requirements for trade at local, regional and international levels. Interviews with selected value chain actors, policy formulating, supervisory and enforcement institutions using open ended questionnaire were conducted. Findings Policies and standards reviewed The government has enacted a number of food safety policies which are implemented by various ministries and agencies to strengthen animal source food safety along the food chain from farm to fork. The policies reviewed in this study include; Fish Act (Cap 197), Fish (Beach Management) Rules 2016, adulteration of produce Act (chapter 27), Food and drugs act. (Chapter 278), dairy industry act, public health act, Animal Breeding Act, 2001, Uganda Wildlife Act, 2019, Local government act cp 234, veterinary surgeons act (chapter 277), Animal Diseases Act, Agricultural Chemicals (Control) Act, 2006, National drug policy and authority act 1993, Cattle traders act, Animal’s act (prevention of cruelty) cap 220, Trade regulations 2011, and Uganda National Bureau of Standards Act. Stakeholder interviews All the consulted key stakeholders agreed that implementation of these policies is very wanting in our country and a number of challenges/gaps that contribute to this state and recommendations to revert the situation were put forward. Challenges/gaps · There is no single agency that is responsible for food safety standards, the roles are scattered among ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs). · The responsibility of implementation of food safety standards is mostly executed by UNBS which does not have enough manpower, adequate funds and machinery to implement food safety standards exhaustively. · Regulatory framework (policies and standards) is weak and outdated and do not cover current issues of the countries such as GMOs. · There is irregular implementation of these policies across the country since in some places are implemented and in others, they are not. · The government interest is putting the standards in place, but they don't have interested in how they are implemented. · The process of policy development is top to bottom i.e., the main players of the different value chains are not involved in making these. · Corruption and political interference by political leaders who have power and authority and yet they are involved in similar business, this creates conflict of interest. · Lack of awareness and inadequate advocacy of the animal food safety policies and standards by different key stakeholders along the food chain. Recommendations • Food safety related mandates should be centralized / streamlined under one umbrella. • Allocation of adequate funding by the government for; enabling statutory instruments, research (related on nutrition / malnutrition, food poisoning), public awareness and advocacy. • Alternatively strengthening of the existing implementing agencies like MAAIF, UNBS and Dairy in terms of both human resource and finances. • Update of the regulatory frameworks to fit the current state of the country such as GMOs and aligning them with international standards. • Intense regulation and monitoring of compliance at the right points across the livestock value chain. • Recruitment of public servants should be based on proper vetting for integrity beyond academic qualifications to avert corruption. • Demand for accountability of food safety matters from the political leaders through routine monitoring and evaluation of the responsible agencies • Government through the ministry of trade should organize exhibitions to promote market access of these products. Conclusion There are numerous policies and standards in place that are purposed to ensure animal food safety along the food value chain and enhance market access. However, these are not well enforced and implemented due to various challenges, like decentralization of implementation activities, inadequate funds, lack of awareness among stakeholders, corruption, outdated policies, and poor coordination.