ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for National Food Security and Research, Sikandar Hayat Bosan has said that Pakistan is actively pursuing the agenda of World Organization for Animal Health (OIE).
He was speaking at the 84th session of world assembly of delegates of OIE at Paris.
According to a message received here from Paris the other day, he lauded the role of OIE in effective veterinary services and organization of livestock husbandry practices on scientific lines throughout the world.
Bosan said that Pakistan was fully cooperating with and benefiting from OIE's technical and expert support.
He informed the session that Pakistan got freedom from rinderpest disease in 2007 and was still maintaining this position. Moreover, he said "We have initiated a national programme on progressive control of Foot and Mouth Disease in the country and reached a 2nd stage of the 5 stages Euro Asia FMD Progressive Control Pathway".
The minister further said that national herd of Pakistan was comprised an estimated population of 179 million large and small ruminants, apart from 85 million rural and 945 million commercial poultry.
He further said that more than 8 million families in Pakistan were involved in livestock raising, deriving nearly 35% income from livestock production activities.
Livestock sector's prospective role towards rural economic development may well be recognized from the fact that significant number of population of almost all developing countries derives their livelihoods from livestock in one way or the other.
It was a source of cash income, providing a vital and often the only source of income for the rural and most marginal people, he added.
The minister said "It generates employment in the rural population, particularly small farmers and women. Moreover, it also provides instant source of basic dietary and energy requirements to the rural masses".
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