Animal health is vital to food security, rural livelihoods, and public health across the Pacific. Recognising this, the Australian Government, through the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), is partnering with the Solomon Islands Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MAL) to strengthen animal health and biosecurity systems.

Experts from across the Solomon Islands and the wider Pacific have gathered in Honiara for a two-week program designed to improve disease surveillance, diagnosis, and response. The program features a national consultation, a three-day regional workshop, and national training sessions on the use of portable and affordable diagnostic tools suited to resource-limited settings.

The initiative follows a review conducted in November 2024 by Agriculture Victoria, whose recommendations were presented at the consultation. The sessions also highlighted ongoing disease surveillance efforts by MAL veterinarians and livestock officers, supported by Australia’s Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF).

The regional workshop has brought together animal health officers from Pacific Island Countries and Territories (PICTs) to share lessons and strengthen regional preparedness. Discussions have drawn on experiences from neighbouring countries affected by exotic diseases such as African Swine Fever (ASF), ensuring that the Solomon Islands is better positioned to prevent and respond to similar outbreaks.

Key goals of the program include:

• Showcasing the potential of Loop-mediated Isothermal Amplification (LAMP) technology for field-based diagnostics.
• Exploring challenges and opportunities for integrating mobile diagnostic tools into national animal health systems.
• Facilitating collaboration between national and provincial livestock officers, laboratory staff, and stakeholders.
• Developing a shared roadmap to expand mobile diagnostic capacity in the Solomon Islands.

Permanent Secretary of MAL, Dr. Samson Viulu, stressed the importance of the initiative:

“Resilient animal and plant health systems are vital for safeguarding the food security and livelihoods of our people. In partnership with the Australian Government, this program gives our officers new tools and information that can help those who work in key areas of agriculture.”

Australia’s High Commissioner to the Solomon Islands, H.E. Rod Hilton, reaffirmed his country’s commitment:

“Australia is truly proud to share our world-class expertise in agriculture and biosecurity to help strengthen food security and safeguard community livelihoods. This partnership demonstrates our joint commitment to supporting rural industries and the vast majority of Solomon Islanders who rely on agriculture.”

The program has drawn participation from government officials, academic representatives from Solomon Islands National University (SINU), poultry and piggery farmers, beekeepers, private sector partners, and technical experts from DAFF Victoria and DFAT.