Zambia hosts continental workshop on harmonised animal feed standards

ZAMBIA – Zambia has hosted a two-day continental awareness workshop in Lusaka on the implementation of harmonised African standards and conformity assessment systems for animal feeds.

The meeting brought together government leaders, business owners, and experts from across Africa to strengthen feed safety and improve trade under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

It focused on regulatory alignment and the reduction of technical barriers to the movement of animal feed products across African markets.

The workshop was organised by the African Organization for Standardization and hosted by the Zambia Bureau of Standards.

It examined how harmonised standards and conformity assessment systems can support safer, more efficient cross-border feed trade by improving compliance, testing, inspection, and certification processes.

Zambia’s selection as host country was attributed to its strong maize-soybean value chain, which underpins regional feed production, as well as its rapidly growing commercial poultry and aquaculture sectors, which continue to drive demand for quality animal feed.

The Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock, the country’s main regulator of animal feed, was represented by Senior Veterinary Officer Dr Kenneth Chawinga from the Department of Veterinary Services.

He presented Zambia’s regulatory framework anchored on the Animal Health Act No. 27 of 2010.

Dr Chawinga highlighted Part VIII (Sections 59 to 62) of the Act, which governs the importation, manufacture, and sale of animal feed, alongside provisions on prohibited substances and oversight of rendering plants.

He emphasised that strong enforcement of feed regulations is critical for safeguarding animal health and ensuring food safety across the value chain.

AfCFTA focus on harmonised feed standards

Delegates noted that Africa’s animal feed sector remains fragmented due to differing regulatory systems, which continues to hinder cross-border trade despite rising demand driven by expansion in livestock, poultry, and aquaculture production. 

Harmonisation was identified as a key enabler for improving market efficiency and competitiveness.

The programme concluded with industrial visits to Novatek Animal Feeds Zambia and Tiger Feeds Zambia, where participants observed practical applications of quality assurance systems in feed production.

The workshop was supported by TradeMark Africa, which continues to promote trade facilitation and regional integration across the continent.

Zambia’s hosting reinforces its role as a regional hub for livestock and aquaculture development, supported by strengthened regulatory systems and a more competitive feed sector.

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