Marisa Peyre: "Public-private partnerships have considerable potential to boost veterinary services"

What makes public-private partnerships (PPPs) a particularly effective tool when it comes to veterinary services?

Marisa Peyre: Because the authorities in a lot of countries in the global South have limited resources. The private sector can provide not just funding, but technical expertise, equipment, and other things. By working together, the two sectors can ensure greater long-term benefits and positive impact. When it comes to health, the long term is important. Let's not forget the avian influenza epidemic in Southeast Asia... International aid meant that the disease was under active surveillance for several years, but that surveillance came to an abrupt halt when funding was withdrawn. Surveillance in the countries concerned fell from 90% of the territory to around 10%.

What are the potential benefits for the two types of partners?

M.P.: PPPs can have different effects from one place to another. For instance, in Ethiopia, the Ethiochicken firm is working with veterinary services to improve poultry farming and support small-scale farmers. The firm benefits from State territorial coverage and facilities, while the authorities profit from Ethiochicken's financial and technical resources. The partnership has allowed Ethiopia to increase egg and poultry meat production, by providing access to improved races and better animal health and nutrition.

What other success stories can you think of that illustrate the range of possible partnerships?

M.P.: In 1996, Paraguay asked the private sector to finance a fund devoted to the fight against foot and mouth. That partnership between agricultural firms and the country's animal health authorities resulted in the disease being steadily brought under control. Paraguay is now recognized as being free of foot and mouth, and has become a major meat exporter. The partnership is ongoing, notably with a view to establishing collective, efficient surveillance systems.

What governs the success of such partnerships?

M.P.: There are several main rules that are both universal and unavoidable:

• Define the tasks and responsibilities of everyone involved. Transparency in terms of roles and targets is the best safeguard against conflicts of interest.
• Foster communication, to understand the various partners' constraints and build confidence.
• Set both a common objective and specific ambitions, the latter of which may be different for each partner.
• Define a PPP governance mechanism that adheres to a charter, takes account of the risks (conflicts of interest, mutual unfamiliarity, etc), sets standards and oversees contractualization.

Don't the many misconceptions about both the public and private sectors get in the way of such partnerships?

M.P.: They do! Old stereotypes die hard, and exist the world over. This is why we run regional training courses to bring together the two types of stakeholders. They serve to explain to the public sector that the private sector is taking risks, and conversely, dispel the myth that the public sector is slow and inefficient. They also build confidence between the two sectors. We organized the first workshop in English, in Ethiopia, for public- and private-sector players from nine English-speaking countries in East, southern and West Africa. We have had very positive feedback. Every participant gained a clear understanding of the benefits of such partnerships. An upcoming workshop on Wednesday 11 September will bring together ten countries in French-speaking Africa.

All in all, the main principles of PPPs could be applied beyond the animal health sector…

M.P.: Yes, and at CIRAD, we are increasingly looking to implement PPPs. In particular to sustain our field operations and ensure that our R&D projects have long-term benefits.

Interview by Caroline Dangléant