The Veterinary Services Directorate (VSD) has called on government to fast-track the review of the Diseases Animal Act 1961.

According to Greater Accra Regional Veterinary Director, Dr. Joseph Kofi Abuh, stakeholders along the animal production value chain since 2010 have been requesting an update of the act to clearly define their roles to prevent the recurrent overlap of their duties.

Speaking at the launch of the World Food Safety Month ahead of the World Food Safety Day celebrated on June 7, Dr. Abuh said “we have the Diseases Animal Act 1961 which is very old and outdated but we’re working very hard to update it”.

“We believe the Animal Health Bill is very critical for food security and public health. The passage of the bill into law has been long overdue, it has been undergoing review since 2010. But currently, the bill is with the Attorney General’s office and we want them to speed it up to move to parliament so it can be passed into law”.

Animal health is a crucial element of food safety. Ensuring the well-being of animals in the food supply chain is essential to preventing foodborne diseases and safeguarding public health. It is for this reason the Veterinary Services Directorate of the Ministry of Food and Agriculture has launched World Food Safety Month. A Deputy Director of the Veterinary Services Directorate, Dr. Geoffery Akabua highlighted the role of the directorate in ensuring food safety in the country.

“The mandate of the Veterinary Services Directorate is delivered through the following activities; inspection and surveillance, risk assessment and management, traceability and documentation, emergency preparedness, training and sensitisation,” he outlined.

Dr. Akabua further assured the public of the Directorate’s commitment to ensuring food safety.

He said, “the Directorate wishes at this juncture to assure the general public that we will not relent on our activities to ensure that the food you consume is safe”.

This year’s World Food Safety Day is themed, “Food Safety: Preparing for the Unexpected”.