Government Momentum Builds on AMR
Government Momentum Builds on Animal Movement Route after the years of discussion and information exchange. The biggest challenge in Georgian sheep sector – the Animal Movement Route issue has come to the point when there is a willingness and concrete plan for taking actions and reaching tangible results.
On November 20th, all main stakeholders of the Animal Movement Route gathered to plan further steps regarding the route infrastructure and management. The meeting was facilitated by Alliances Lesser Caucasus programme. There is no doubt that proper infrastructure of Animal Movement Route and existence of disease control mechanism during transhumance is key to sheep farming development. But lack of a clear action plan and coordinated activities – have been the subject of the dispute for years. The international consultant from UK - Edward Hamer was invited in October by ALCP for advising and designing the Animal Movement Route (please follow the link). The simple, practical recommendations – 11 action points for improving the AMR and drawings with estimated budgets prepared by the expert - were introduced to the interested parties.
Now, the infrastructural plan is available, coordinated action from the side of authorities becomes even more vital for the successful implementation of the project. For accelerating the decision-making process the Ministry of Agriculture and the Ministry of Economics, the Shepherds Association and the Municipalities agreed to work closely together. For ensuing enhanced coordination a special Web Forum will be established and administered by the MOA.
The recently rehabilitated bypass Route in Tsintskaro Village is a perfect example how the coordinated work of central and local government can lead to real solution in livestock transhumance related issues. Hopefully the Tsintskaro precedent will be the first, but not single step taken towards a rehabilitated route and a revitalized livestock industry in Georgia.
