East African farming groups will giving a first hand account of their plight at a veterinary charity conference in Midlothian.
Following the success of its first conference in Dingwall, VETAID will be hosting "Hungry Farmers: The Root Causes" at the Pentlands Science Park on January 23.
The conference, taking place at the Moredun Research Institute, will bring together fa
rmers, vets, agriculture students, vet students and politicians.
Stephen Ruvuga, executive director of the National Network of Farmers' Groups in Tanzania, will give an introduction to the activities of his organisation.
Trade dealsThe network is engaged in lobbying and advocacy, marketing, microfinance, sustainable production systems and issues such as HIV/AIDS.
Moses Shaha, the national chairman of the Kenya Small Scale Farmers Forum, will consider how farmers in poor countries are disadvantaged by unfair trade rules and explain the significance of systems such as Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs) and global organisations such as the World Trade Organisation (WTO).
Speakers from leading international development organisations, based in Scotland, will also take part in the event.
Diane Green, campaigns officer at Christian Aid Scotland, will present case studies from across Africa, showing how African farmers are disadvantaged by unfair trade deals.
VETAID works with agricultural communities in east Africa running a variety of programmes to improve animal health.
