As livestock is an essential component of agriculture, reliable information on the livestock sector is necessary in formulating the SADC Regional Agricultural Policy. Therefore, the Food, Agriculture and Natural Resources Directorate of SADC created the Animal Health Yearbook as a means of disseminating information about livestock and animal health in the region, enabling informed policy and planning decisions. Noting concerns over transboundary animal diseases, the Animal Health Yearbook provides an analytical review of animal disease status to serve as an early warning system for Member States. Along with an overview of the general state of animal health, the Yearbook offers detail on diseases of concern in the region, listing statistics on their outbreaks, cases, deaths, and distribution in Southern Africa. From these statistics, it draws conclusions and recommendations for use in evaluation of the sector for policy development toward increased food security.
