Islamabad, March 14, 2019 (PPI-OT): Federal Minister for National Food Security and Research Mr. Sahibzada Muhammad Mehboob Sultan was Chief Guest at the Signing Ceremony of (the joint project between M/o NFS and R and FAO) Global Rinderpest Post eradication Security. Rinderpest is highly contagious disease which has resulted in the mortality of hundreds of millions of livestock and adversely affected the agriculture supply chain throughout the world. Global veterinary services, FAO and World Organization of Animal Health (OIE) through collaboration and persistent efforts eradicated the disease in 2011, globally through Rinderpest Eradication Program.
Now in order to stop the disease from recurring and devastating the animals, and for the post eradication strategy, these abovementioned bodies established Rinderpest Joint Advisory Committee (JAC) in 2012 to control and thwart any imminent danger. Sahibzada Mehboob Sultan on the occasion said that it is welcoming that Pakistan is signing Rinderpest Post Eradication Security Project and be part of that global project to take measures against the likely threat of this fatal animal disease.
The Federal Minister said that there is a dire need to ensure that post eradication comes with coherent and persistent efforts; an awareness campaign for the eradication is indispensable. Federal Minister Sahibzada Mehboob Sultan said that Pakistan has a great export potential in livestock. The Government of Pakistan is committed towards global; animal health and food security issues. The Minister added that Government of Pakistan and our Ministry of National Food Security and Research has collaborated with FAO to ensure the post eradication security of Rinderpest.
The Minister said that he wanted to ensure his commitment to Pakistan’s exporters, subsistence cattle breeders and to the public at large who will benefit from it. Federal Minister gave his consent for signing of the ceremony. FAO representative Ms. Mina Dawlatchahi said we completed the first step which is an eradication of the disease, now we are moving towards post eradication measures to root out the possibility of this disease to recur. Federal Secretary M/o NFS and R and FAO representative Miss Mina Dawalchahi signed the project document.
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