The American diplomat was received in audience on 30 August 2022 by the Minister of Livestock, Fisheries and Animal Industries. This is the first time that H.E. Christopher John Lamora has been received by Dr Taiga since his arrival in Cameroon. More than just a courtesy call, the new US ambassador to Cameroon and the Minister of Livestock, Fisheries and Animal Industries (MINEPIA) discussed the main areas of cooperation between Uncle Sam’s country and Cameroon in the livestock, fisheries and animal industries sub-sector. “The Minister and I talked about three things, namely livestock farming, fishing and animal industries”, said H.E. Lamora at the end of the one-hour meeting.

The United States is concerned about animal health in Cameroon, because locally produced animal products need to meet international standards if they are to enter the vast American market. Cameroon should also continue to develop its processing industries, for example. As part of the Three-Year Emergency Plan for Economic Growth, the Ministry of Livestock, Fisheries and Animal Industries focused on the construction of processing industries, in particular the industrial abattoir in Ngaoundéré, and cold stores in Ngaoundéré, Yaoundé, Ebolowa and Kribi. Emphasis was also placed on the transport of meat products, notably with the acquisition of isothermal vehicles. Another wish of the United States is to see the development of the dairy industry in Cameroon.

The other focus of the meeting was fishing. “It is important that both countries, that all countries in the world, work together to protect marine wildlife because we all depend on it”, added the American diplomat. With this in mind, the United States and Cameroon are actively involved in the fight against illegal, uncontrolled and unregulated fishing.