Ministry of Food, Agriculture & Livestock (Minfal) has prepared a new project, "National Programs for the Control and Prevention of Avian Influenza" at a cost of Rs 1180.142 million to control bird flu. According to official sources, the project duration is three years and will be implemented through out Pakistan including AJK, Fata and Northern Areas with the financial assistance of World Bank.
The project is aimed at improving and scaling up avian influenza surveillance, reporting and diagnostic at federal and provincial district levels, strengthening disease control, outbreak containment and eradication of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), compensation to farmers, increasing awareness among the farmers, consumers, veterinarians and other stake holders regarding AI, vaccine development, improving veterinary services to enforce national animal disease control measures.
According to the sources Poultry sector is one of the most vibrant segments of agriculture sector of Pakistan. This sector generates employment (direct/indirect) and income for about 1.5 million people. The current investment in Poultry Industry is about Rs 200 billion. Poultry sector shown a growth of 8-10 percent annually.
This sector has faced a tough challenge on account of Avian Influenza (AI) outbreak in the country. The re-occurrence of Avian Influenza was reported on 3rd February 2007 in backyard poultry/zoo and commercial poultry in Rawalpindi/Islamabad,
Peshawar, Abbottabad, Mansehra, Kamalia, Summundari and Karachi areas. There have been 72 (27 commercials flocks and 45 backyard poultry and game birds) recorded cases of H5NI till March 2008, involving approximately 176.1 thousand commercial poultry (broiler/layer) apart from game birds and backyard poultry. Zero tolerance policy was adopted and flocks were destroyed under the supervision of state veterinarians and district administration.