The Zambia National Farmers’ Union (ZNFU) is elated by Cabinet’s decision to authorize the issuance of the Animal Health (Registration of Laboratories) Regulations, 2025, paving the way for private laboratories to play a key role in veterinary and public health service delivery.
This follows sustained lobbying by the Union, including high-level engagement at State House on 15th November 2024, where Government resolved in principle to proceed with guidelines that would allow private laboratories to be accredited by the regulatory authority. The regulations will complement existing government capacity, which has been overstretched in delivering critical laboratory services to the livestock farming community.
The milestone also comes on the heels of a meeting with the Minister of Fisheries and Livestock in May 2025, during which the Union reiterated the urgency of this matter and received assurances of Government’s commitment.
The Union has long advocated for a framework that integrates private sector capacity in providing timely laboratory services to farmers. This decision will directly benefit livestock farmers, improve disease surveillance, and safeguard national animal health. We commend Government for this bold step and reaffirm our commitment to working hand in hand with the Ministry and other stakeholders to strengthen veterinary service delivery.
This development demonstrates the value of public–private partnerships (PPPs) in improving service delivery and farmers are happy with this decision as it will contribute favourably to advance livestock development and opening of new markets.
Our humble appeal is that the focus should now be directed at implementation because in the past we have seen situations where a decision has been approved by cabinet BUT not effected such as the removal of VAT on gensets.
Source: Zambia National Farmers Union
