LAHORE: Participants in a consultative meeting asked for on Wednesday ban on the import of whey and dry milk powder to strengthen the livestock sector of the country.

The meeting was held at the University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences (UVAS) where former livestock secretary Nasim Sadiq, UVAS Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Talat Naseer Pasha, representatives of the federal government, officials of the L&DD departments of all provinces, Punjab Breeding Authority, Pakistan Dairy Association, Buffalo Breeders Association, Corporate Dairy Farmers Association of Pakistan, Pakistan Tanners Association, Dairy and Cattle Farmers Association, Meat Export Association of Pakistan, Pakistan Poultry Association, progressive farmers and academicians were present.

Mr Sadiq said the government should take measures to improve the fodder of the animal to improve the livestock industry. He also suggested that the government conduct census of the animals in the country. “The livestock sector grew in recent years due to prevention of deadly diseases like foot and mouth, HS and PPR by raising awareness among consumers about safe/healthy and high quality food,” he said.

Prof Pasha said the federal government was working to revamp the livestock sector. “We’re providing platform to all stakeholders, including farmers, meat exporters, service providers, poultry, dairy and meat industrialists to know their issues in revamping the livestock sector,” he said.

He said the government was focusing on nutrition issue of the country and recommended school milk programme by providing a glass of milk and egg to every child in their class rooms every day to solve the malnutrition issues of Pakistan.

All participants put forward suggestions for strengthening the dairy, meat and livestock sectors in country and called for imposing ban on the import of whey and dry milk powder.

The participants demanded appointment of an animal husbandry commissioner and animal advisory service to help farmers reduce the cost of milk production and feed.

They also called for making a milk regulatory policy by adopting minimum pasteurization law policy to identify that where milk is collected from.

They recommended price de-capping of meat and farmers incentives, reducing feed cost and various taxes imposed on industry and exports, strengthening progeny testing programme and zero tolerance on the sale of adulterated milk.

They said breed associations should be started at union council level to enhance the productivity of cow and buffalo milk and steps should be taken to improve genetics of local animal breeds.

They also demanded 10 percent premium on export of livestock, poultry and dairy items and raising awareness among farmers and consumers through media and preparing viable farmer friendly policies for the profitability of poor farming community.

SEMINAR: The Punjab University College of Earth and Environmental Sciences organised an environment awareness seminar under the vision of Prime Minister Billions Tree plantation agenda.

PUCIT: The Punjab University College of Information Technology (PUCIT) on Wednesday held groundbreaking ceremony of its software technology park on New Campus.

The park will be established with a cost of Rs150 million by the university and will develop liaison with local tech-industry to provide opportunities for joint R&D projects and facilitate PUCIT students for internships and job opportunities.

The park will also help the college to start courses according to the needs of the local industry.

PU Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr Niaz Ahmed and PUCIT Principal Prof Dr Mansoor Sarwar laid down the foundation stone.

Prof Ahmed said that administration would encourage promotion of industry academia linkages and it would work as an incubation center for tech companies.

The vice-chancellor also visited the college and inspected GIS Centre, labs, lecturer theatres, daycare centre, prayer hall, and library.

Published in Dawn, September 20th, 2018