LAHORE: Punjab Minister for Industries, Trade and Energy SM Tanveer has emphasized that the livestock sector is a government priority in terms of fostering economic prosperity and reducing poverty.

He also underscored the need to increase local production of raw materials to stabilize product prices.

He was speaking during his visit to inspect various sections of the Veterinary Research Institute in Lahore on Monday. He along with the Punjab Minister for Excise Bilal Afzal also planted saplings.

They attended a briefing where they were informed about the departmental activities aimed at supporting the livestock sector in the province. The ministers were also briefed about a roadmap for vaccination, disease control, animal nutrition, and breed improvement.

Both ministers expressed their appreciation for the department’s performance and acknowledged that the 1192 virtual governance and disease reporting & surveillance systems serve as practical evidence of the department’s innovation and management skills.

During their visit, the ministers emphasized the importance of positive progress at the departmental level to enhance milk and meat production. They urged the department to adhere to the comprehensive roadmap while assuring that the government would provide the necessary support.

Furthermore, the Industries Minister also mentioned that implementing a corporate model in the livestock sector, as part of the long-term action plan, would be a game-changer.

Punjab Minister Bilal Afzal stated that the trust placed by cattlemen in the livestock department is a testament to its success. He added that the Livestock Department’s service delivery model surpasses that of other departments.

Secretary Livestock Masood Anwar informed that a recommendation for the approval of the national action plan for the control of foot-and-mouth disease is being sent to the cabinet.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2023