ILCA and ILRAD merge to form ILRI

Ethiopia and Kenya have been asked to host jointly the new International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI). The two-country host status recognizes the continuing strong support being provided by the governments of Ethiopia and Kenya to livestock research sponsored by the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR), as well as the expressed desire of both countries to host the recently created institute. ILRI was established on 21 September, 1994 with an international agreement signed by Switzerland, Denmark, Ethiopia, Kenya, Sweden and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). ILRI will be directly responsible for about two-thirds of all CGIAR livestock-related research in developing regions. It will also lead the development of a major CGIAR initiative, the System-wide Livestock Research Programme. ILRI began operating in January 1995. It inherits the assets and programmes of the International Laboratory for Research on Animal Diseases (ILRAD) in Kenya and the International Livestock Centre for Africa (ILCA) in Ethiopia. The new institute will collaborate with other CGIAR centres in agricultural and natural resource management research where livestock are involved. According to the CGIAR chairperson, Ismail Serageldin, the creation of ILRI opens a new chapter in the history of international livestock research. The reorganization of livestock research is a major structural change in the CGIAR as it prepares for greater effectiveness in the future. Research to improve livestock productivity and animal health is now incorporated in a single institution to streamline existing programmes in Africa as well as to expand research activities in Asia and Latin America. ILRI ILRI PO Box5689 PO Box 30709 Addis Ababa Nairobi ETHIOPIA KENYAEthiopia and Kenya have been asked to host jointly the new International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI). The two-country host status recognizes the continuing strong support being provided by the governments of Ethiopia and Kenya to livestock..