Absence of quarantine department to screen livestock at the time of import in the country is resulting in spread of mysterious contagious diseases in Pakistan. This was stated by University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences (UVAS) Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr Talat Naseer Pasha while delivering a lecture at one-month long workshop on "Capacity building of livestock dairy development department officers for the establishment of advisory services" at conference hall of the university on Wednesday.
The workshop was organised by UVAS in collaboration with Punjab Livestock and Dairy Development Department (L&DDD). Professor Pasha regretted that the import of large animals especially cows from various countries is in vogue without screening of diseases after quarantining them at the time of landing in the country. He said that last year 5,000 large animals were imported and this year some 6,000 animals were being imported. He said the local breeds of animals were being endangered by various contagious diseases especially Bovine Viral Diarrhea Virus (BVDV) Infectious Bovine Rhinotracheitis (IBR) and Brucellosis.
Explaining the importance of livestock sector in national economy in various spectra, VC Professor Dr Talat Naseer Pasha said livestock sector was growing in an unprecedented manner and had a share of 55.1 percent of the GDP. He said the government is paying more attention to agriculture sector but its growth has fallen to 42.5 percent of the GDP.
He said that almost 70 percent farmer population is based on one to four animals and producing 80 percent of milk and meat in the country. "The small farmers are contributing in livestock sector as source of economic engine," he said. "It is only because of small farmers' dedicated efforts and emotional attachment that helped Pakistan to be ranked second largest country in buffalo population and fourth milk and mutton production country in the world," he added.
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