ISLAMABAD - President Dr Arif Alvi on Monday called for development of the livestock sector in the country, saying that it could contribute to economic development, food security and poverty alleviation.
Chairing a follow-up meeting on meat exports and processing here, the President said livestock sector had great potential to earn foreign exchange and called for increasing the export value by meeting international requirements and ensuring quality control of products. The meeting reviewed the progress on the decisions taken during the last meeting. The Punjab Livestock secretary gave a presentation about the Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) in animals and informed the meeting about the efforts, made by provincial government to control the disease. The meeting proposed various solutions and strategies for controlling FMD in the country. The meat exporters apprised the meeting of various issues and challenges being faced by them with regard to export of meat. The President asked the concerned ministries and departments to facilitate the meat exporters and address their problems, particularly the rationalisation of certification process of Halal food and issuance of quarantine certificates.
He reiterated the government’s commitment to address the problems of meat exporters and processors enabling them to enhance production and increase exports. He urged the private sector to play its role in promoting livestock sector as it had potential to generate foreign exchange as well as generate employment opportunities in the country. The meeting was attended by the Provincial Secretaries and Director Generals of Livestock Departments, Members of All Pakistan Meat Exporters and Processors Association (APMEPA) and senior officials of Ministries of Commerce and National Food Security.