World Veterinary Day 2024 Celebrated By ADAFSA, Honouring Essential Veterinarians

On April 27, 2024, the Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Safety Authority (ADAFSA) is set to celebrate World Veterinary Day under the theme "Veterinarians: Essential Health Workers". This event underscores the pivotal role of over 170 veterinarians and technicians at ADAFSA, who are experts in fields such as virology, pathology, and microbiology. These professionals are at the forefront of executing strategic initiatives aimed at bolstering biosecurity and ensuring food safety across Abu Dhabi.

ADAFSA's efforts in 2023 have led to notable achievements in biosecurity enhancement, pest and disease control, and the safeguarding of plant and animal health. A remarkable compliance rate of 97% was recorded for biosecurity protocols in red meat slaughterhouses. Moreover, ADAFSA's veterinary team conducted around 6,400 routine inspections at animal farms to verify disease prevention measures and biosecurity adherence.

The authority also scrutinized approximately 33,800 meat shipments imported into Abu Dhabi, totaling 615,000 tonnes. From the 650 samples analyzed in laboratories, 37 were rejected due to non-compliance issues. The executive director of the Animal Wealth Sector at ADAFSA highlighted Abu Dhabi's dedication to advancing biosecurity and animal health as a cornerstone for food safety and sustainable agricultural development.

Veterinary services play a crucial role in maintaining animal and human health by managing zoonotic diseases. These services encompass diagnostic, treatment, and preventive measures that ensure the safety of animal products for human consumption. Veterinarians also oversee hygiene and health standards at animal production farms and food processing facilities.

ADAFSA is committed to enhancing the skills of its veterinary staff through training and qualification programs. These initiatives aim to build the technical capacity of national cadres in controlling zoonotic diseases through diagnostic services, disease surveillance, and community awareness efforts. Furthermore, ADAFSA veterinarians are instrumental in developing vaccines, laboratory tests, and diagnostic techniques that fortify the animal health food security system.

The authority's veterinarians actively engage in scientific conferences and workshops worldwide, sharing knowledge and experiences with international peers. Their contributions have led to the establishment of specialist reference centers like the Reference Centre for Camel Diseases, accredited by the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH).

World Veterinary Day is an occasion to acknowledge the indispensable contributions of veterinarians to human, animal, and environmental health. ADAFSA encourages individuals interested in veterinary science to pursue specialized academic programs, highlighting the profession's critical role in promoting health and safety.

With inputs from WAM