The HEARD program is organized into 3 result components:

• • Result 1: the quality of public and private veterinary services is strengthened and delivery optimised (through the creation of an enabled and rationalised environment). This component of the program is implemented through 3 regional grants (Somali regional, Amhara and Oromia) with support of the Ministry for Agriculture and Livestock Resources (MoALR)

• • Result 2: technical competences (knowledge, skills and attitude) and incentives for veterinary service providers is improved to deliver better and rationalised services. This component is jointly implemented by the International Livestock Research Institute and the Ethiopian Veterinary Association and provides guidance on setting up public private partnerships and provides capacity development for veterinary professionals at different levels.

• • Result 3: Food safety of primary products of animal origin is improved and better control of zoonotic diseases achieved. This component is led by MoALR and focuses on meat inspection and improved food safety along the livestock value chains.

With the planned activities in the 3 result components, HEARD will add value to the livestock sector development. Efforts to improve performance of veterinary services build on OIE PVS evaluation and gap assessment and include implementing and strengthening the Livestock identification and traceability system (LITS), developing meat inspection trainings, establishment of a veterinary statutory body, establishing a continued professional development program for veterinary professionals, develop and pilot test novel models of public private partnerships to roll out the Veterinary Services Rationalisation Road Map, and implementing animal welfare standards.
Strengthening of LITS will add values to enhance the export of livestock and livestock products. This will be done through up scaling the database of the system and by encouraging of traders to implement the system. On the other hand, designing curriculum for meat inspection course and provision of training in higher education will help to produce certified and competent meat inspectors. Furthermore, supporting export abattoir certification through developing meat inspection course and provision of training provides safe and quality livestock and livestock products for local and export markets. This will in turn ensures acceptance and trust among local consumers and countries importing Ethiopian livestock products.
The establishment of a veterinary statutory body coupled with a Continuing Professional Development (CPD) program for veterinary professionals and updating veterinary curricula, will enable development of a corps of competent professionals for the delivery of private and public animal health services. HEARD supports targeted capacity development in business skills and developing guidance on public-private partnerships for animal health service delivery.
HEARD Implementing partners and stakeholders:
The overall implementation of the HEARD program is coordinated by the Livestock State Ministry of MoALR.