Stakeholder meeting for the Piloting an improved animal identification and registration system (AIRS) in Mongolia was organized by FAO Mongolia in partner with Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Light Industry of Mongolia (MoFALI), French Livestock Institute (IDELE).  Mongolia has the human and natural resource base to produce ‘green’ livestock products; and a comparative advantage for producing ‘green’ livestock products for export. However, the supply chain inefficiencies and lack of traceability and animal identification mechanisms hold back the potential both in domestic and international markets. The project aims to demonstrate technical feasibility, cost-effectiveness and sustainability of an amended animal identification and registration scheme with a view to support the development of an export market for Mongolian animal products and improved control of animal infectious disease.

The project aims to demonstrate technical feasibility, cost-effectiveness and sustainability of an amended animal identification and registration scheme with a view to support the development of an export market for Mongolian animal products and improved control of animal infectious disease

Representatives from European Union (EU), Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation in Mongolia (SDC), Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), Mongolian Veterinary Medical Association, Mongolian Meat Association and Herders association have participated in the meeting and contributed their valuable recommendation for better coordination and successful implementation of the project.

During the meeting, Ms. Saule, Deputy Minister of Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Light Industry said “Mongolia has 66.4 million heads of livestock as of 2018, which is 0.4 percent increase from the year before. Building an integrated database for animal identification and registration has become a priority for MoFALI to certify and be able to trace animal products from the herder site’s to the product on consumers’ table. This will also be a big support for increasing the quality and productivity of animal, identifying the origin of animal products, bettering the health of the flock and fight against animal theft. Improved AIRS will be the key for the export of animal products in the long run.”

The absence of a functional AIRS in Mongolia means information does not exist on animals or animal products, its origination of area, whether it is from area known to be disease free or from an area with animal disease outbreaks. Therefore, strengthening AIRS is the building block to improve animal health to facilitate exports. The project will be implemented as small-scale and key improvements will be identified prior to nationwide scaling-up.