Despite its important role in trade, livelihood, nutrition and share in agriculture GDP, the livestock sector has not received the due attention it deserves.
In this regards, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) together with Ministry of National Food Security & Research (MNFS&R), organised a national workshop in Islamabad to share the findings of the assessment of Pakistan's existing Animal Disease Surveillance System and provide valuable recommendations.
The Workshop was organized under the Technical Cooperation Program which aims to improve the Animal Disease Surveillance System and establish a real-time animal disease reporting system in the Pakistan.
The workshop brought together leading experts, officials from the federal and provincial livestock departments, and other key stakeholders committed to safeguarding animal health and welfare.
Developed by the Ministry, a draft National Animal Health Act aligned with World Organization for Animal Health guidelines was presented to workshop participants for review and recommendations. Once approved, the bill will be a first national-level document related to animal health legislation in Pakistan.
Under the project tenure, a feasibility study will also be completed to establish Animal Disease Surveillance System in Pakistan. The experts in the workshop also discussed the value addition options and export potential in the livestock sector.
The workshop served as a platform for knowledge and idea-sharing among participants, concluding with a commitment from all stakeholders to foster collaboration and develop an effective and implementable disease surveillance system in Pakistan.