The idea to create the Inter-African Bureau of Animal Resources (IBAR), originated during the African Rinderpest Conference held in Nairobi , Kenya in October 1948 to study the rinderpest situation in Africa. In 1951 a working party appointed by the Commission for Technical Cooperation in Africa (CCTA) recommended that a body be created to deal with all aspects of epizootic diseases in Africa rather than rinderpest only. On November 1951 the body was established under the name Inter-African Bureau of Epizootic Diseases ( IBED ).

Functions of IBED

In 1956 the functions of IBED were expanded to include other aspects of animal health and this resulted in the Bureau being renamed the Inter-African Bureau for Animal Health ( IBAH ). Following the creation of the Organization of African Unity (OAU), now the African Union (AU), in May 1963 and the proposal in Cairo , Egypt., the Commission for Technical Cooperation in Africa South of the Sahara was created as a specialized organ of the AU in January 1965. In the same year the Heads of State of African countries adopted a proposal drawn up by the acting Secretary General of the CCTA that the functions of ccta and IBAH be taken over by the Scientific , Technical and Research Commission ( STRC ) of the OAU. IBAH thus became one of the sub-regional offices of the AU based in Nairobi, Kenya. In 1969 following the recommendations of the AU Heads of State , the activities of IBAH were expanded yet again to include livestock production and marketing. In 1970 the Heads of State resolved that IBAH be renamed the Inter-African Bureau of Animal Resources (IBAR). IBAR has since then maintained this name.

At the time of writing this page IBAR is once again undergoing transformation in line with the restructuring underway at the AU headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The Organization of African Unity is being transformed into the African Union. This Union will be ratified by the Heads of State at their meeting in Maputo in July this year, 2003.

Objectives of IBAR

The overall objective of IBAR is to improve the animal resources of Africa so as to enhance the nutrition and incomes of the people of Africa. Animal resources are very important in the economic development of African countries . Africa has an estimated livestock population of 224 and 447 million cattle and goats respectively, with about 34 million equines and camels. With an annual output of US$ 13.3 billion of meat and 5.3 billion of milk , livestock provides 36% of Africa's Agricultural Gross Domestic Product. IBAR therefore plays an important role as per the Treaty of the African Economic Community , in promoting the development of animal resources so as to ensure food security in Africa.

To achieve its objectives IBAR carries out the following:

• Coordinates the activities of all AU member states in the field of animal health and production.

• Collects, collates, and disseminates information on all aspects of animal health and production.  

• Liaises with appropriate authorities of member states , regional groups, inter-governmental and international organizations.

• Initiates , develops and executes projects in the field of animal health and production.

Functions of IBAR 

IBAR is the only institution in Africa that can rapidly respond to the problem of animal resources at continental level because it has the mandate from the Heads of State and Government of AU member countries to do so. Accordingly, IBAR can quickly and efficiently respond to trans-boundary problems of animal resources including major animal diseases. The following are functions of IBAR:

• Improvement of the animal health delivery systems

• Improvement of animal feed and feed resources

• Improvement of animal genetic resources and breeding

• Development of the animal industry and marketing of livestock and livestock products

• Promotion of technology transfer for the development of animal resources

• Promotion of the development of human resources for livestock development

• Encouraging research in the area of livestock development

• Organization of scientific conferences, workshops and seminars related to animal resources development and management.

Structure of IBAR

IBAR is one of the technical organs of the AU. IBAR is headed by a director with four units comprising :

• Administration,

• Finance,

• Documentation,

• Library and Archives,

• Translation.

It should be noted that with the ongoing restructuring of the AU, the structure of IBAR will change. The headquarters of IBAR are situated in Nairobi Kenya. IBAR has three sections that are responsible for the technical matters related to animal resources. These are :

• Animal Health,

• Animal Production

• Livestock Projects.

The animal health section oversees all animal health matters of interest to the AU member states and is headed by a Chief Animal Health Officer.

The animal production section is responsible for animal production issues ( animal nutrition, breeding, genetic resources, management, marketing, anti desertification and livestock statistics) in AU member states.

The livestock Projects section coordinates all livestock related projects implemented at regional or continental level in AU member states.

IBAR PROJECTS 

Major continental and regional projects coordinated by IBAR in recent years include :

• the Pan African Rinderpest Campaign ( PARC ),
• the Pan African Programme for the control of epizootics (PACE),
• the Farming in Tsetse Controlled Areas ( FITCA ) Programme.

The projects section also coordinates tsetse and trypanosomiasis control activities in the AU member states through the International Scientific Council for Trypanosomiasis Research and Control (ISCTRC) .

The Chief Livestock projects officer heads the secretariat for the bi-annual meetings of the ISCTRC. Plans are underway to have IBAR implement on behalf of the Inter- Governmental Authority and Development( IGAD ) , the proposed EC-funded regional Livestock Development Programme for Eastern Africa.