Advancing Regional Preparedness Against Agro‑Crime

IIAD Veterinarian Dr. Jimmy Tickel was invited by the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) and INTERPOL to participate in the Agro‑Crime: Strategic Planning Workshop for Veterinary Services and Law Enforcement, held in Harare, Zimbabwe.

This first regional agro‑crime workshop brought together representatives from Law Enforcement and Veterinary Services across nine African nations. Guided by the Agro‑Crime Roadmap, participants worked collaboratively to strengthen national and regional readiness to prevent, detect, and respond to agro‑crimes.

Workshop Outcomes:

• Deepened understanding of agro‑crimes and their impacts on animal health and food systems
• Clarified roles and responsibilities among key actors
• Supported participating countries in drafting national agro‑crime roadmaps
• Fostered cross‑border collaboration and information sharing

Together, these efforts advanced shared goals to protect animal health, strengthen food security, and enhance regional resilience against agro‑crime threats.