Speakers at seminar stressed on the dire need to eradicate transboundary animal diseases prevailing in the country by devising and opting effective measures and creating awareness among the stakeholders.

 

They shared their field experiences to combating the menaces of livestock presently faced by the country in seminar on “Control of Transboundary Animal Diseases in Pakistan” jointly organized by Faculty of Veterinary and Animal Sciences (FV&AS) in collaboration with Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations at Pir Mehr Ali Shah Arid Agriculture University Rawalpindi (PMAS-AAUR), on August 17, 2016.

 

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 importance of transboundry diseases in livestock production and the responsibility of the Universities & research organizations to make the people aware of the hazards to adopt good practices for protecting the consumers 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 of creating awareness in this regard.

 

Dr Manzoor Hussain and Dr Muhammad Afzal, while delivering talks, highlighted the various burning aspects concerned with the kinetics of Peste des Petits Ruminants (PPR) & Foot & Mouth Disease (FMD) along with diagnosis, outbreak handling and their remedial measures.