Zambia Hosts Continental Workshop on Harmonised Animal Feed Standards
Zambia has successfully hosted a high-level continental awareness workshop on the implementation of harmonised African standards and conformity assessment systems for animal feeds, strengthening its role in regional livestock and aquaculture development.
The two-day workshop, organised by the African Organisation for Standardisation and hosted by the Zambia Bureau of Standards, brought together stakeholders from government, industry, and the private sector across Africa.
The discussions centred on improving compliance frameworks and promoting intra-African trade under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
Zambia’s selection as host country was attributed to its strong maize–soybean value chain, which supports regional feed production, as well as its expanding commercial poultry and aquaculture sectors.
The Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock, the principal regulator of animal feed in Zambia, participated in the meeting through Senior Veterinary Officer Dr Kenneth Chawinga of the Department of Veterinary Services.
Dr Chawinga presented on Zambia’s national regulatory framework, outlining feed control systems and compliance requirements anchored on the Animal Health Act No. 27 of 2010, particularly Part VIII (Sections 59 to 62), which governs the importation, manufacture and sale of animal feed, alongside controls on prohibited substances and rendering plants.
Participants also deliberated on the role of harmonised standards in unlocking trade opportunities under AfCFTA, with emphasis on feed safety, contaminants, nutritional adequacy, labelling, and conformity assessment processes, including testing, inspection and certification. Good Manufacturing Practices and quality control measures for feed ingredients were also highlighted.
The programme concluded with industrial visits to Novatek Animal Feeds Zambia and Tiger Feeds Zambia, where delegates observed the practical application of standards and quality assurance systems in feed production.
Dr Chawinga described the initiative as timely and critical in advancing the harmonisation of standards across Africa, noting that it would enhance market access and improve the competitiveness of African animal feed products.
The workshop was supported by TradeMark Africa, which continues to play a key role in promoting trade facilitation and regional integration.
