Rawalpindi - Speakers at a seminar stressed the need for devising and adopting effective measures and creating awareness among the stakeholders to eradicate trans-boundary animal diseases in the country.
They shared their field experiences to combating the diseases of livestock during a seminar on “Control of Trans-boundary Animal Diseases in Pakistan” jointly organised by the Faculty of Veterinary and Animal Sciences (FV&AS) in collaboration with the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) of the United Nations at Pir Mehr Ali Shah Arid Agriculture University Rawalpindi (PMAS-AAUR) yesterday.
On the occasion, PMAAS-AAUR Vice Chancellor Professor Dr Rai Niaz Ahmad was the chief guest while Dr Manzoor Hussain, National Director FAO Dr Muhammad Afzal, Coordinator of FAO Project, Dr Muhammad Safdar Anjum, Dean FV&AS, Deans, Directors, livestock professionals, faculty members and large number of students also attended the seminar.
Prof. Dr Rai Niaz Ahmad, Vice Chancellor, PMAS-AAUR, in his address said that a large portion of the rural population is associated with the livestock sector and development of this sector can play a significant role to alleviate poverty, unemployment and food security in a country.
He also highlighted the issue of trans-boundary diseases in livestock production and the responsibility of the universities and research organisations to make the people aware of the hazards to adopt good practices for protecting animals from such diseases.
He also thanked FAO officials for launching a project to control the transboundary animal diseases particularly Foot and Mouth disease and PPR to boost international trade and to bring relief to the rural families raising livestock for their livelihood. He also offered full support from the university administration and appreciated the efforts of FV&AS for holding the seminar and stressed the need for creating awareness in this regard.