January 06, 2007	Saturday	Zilhaj 15, 1427

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LAHORE, Jan 5: Governor Khalid Maqbool has said the government has allocated Rs11 billion for promoting breeding of quality livestock and introduction of modern technology in marketing of milk and meat through the Pakistan Dairy Development Boards for improving food supply and creating employment opportunities in the country.

Inaugurating a modern meat store in Johar Town here on Friday, the governor said Punjab was playing the key role in providing protein rich food to the nation. Of the 120 million cattle, 95 million were being kept in Punjab.

He said the government had increased the funds for the livestock sector by 1,000 times during the past three years for boosting the milk and meat production. Improvement in economic condition of the people rearing cattle in rural areas was necessary for ensuring food security in the country.

He said the consumers would have to change their outlook for ensuring improvement in the standard of food quality. They would have to patronise the shops where food was stored and sold under hygienic conditions.

The governor welcomed increase in investment in food processing sector along with textile and other traditional sectors. The government was encouraging establishment of modern slaughterhouses where everything was automatic, except slaughter of animals.

Punjab Livestock Secretary Babar Yaqub Fateh Muhammad said the government had launched a programme for providing livestock dispensary in every union council in the province. A sum of Rs2 billion had been allocated for establishing veterinary dispensaries in union councils in 18 districts.

The government was also determined to eradicate the foot and mouth diseases from the province.