PESHAWAR, Nov 25: The federal government plans to improve the performance of veterinary institutions and control animal diseases to enhance productivity of the livestock sector, officials said. “The government has prepared a draft law and will soon present it to the federal cabinet for approval.

The document aims at bringing improvement in the functioning of field hospitals and dispensaries and equipping laboratories with advanced equipment,” said officials.

According to the draft law, people involved in the livestock business would be imparted necessary training to help increase their productivity on scientific lines.

The draft prepared with the help of three local consultants had been sent to the ministry of food, agricultural and livestock after incorporating necessary changes in it.

It covers animals’ health, diseases, import and export, besides veterinary medicines and vaccines, privatisation of veterinary services, regulation of the services of veterinary staff, production and marketing and welfare of staff and livestock.

The proposed law has assigned district governments the task to act as market regulatory authority for livestock products in their respective areas.

The new law if implemented would pave the way for establishment of regulated livestock markets at the district, tehsil and union councils’ level.

The law also aims at establishment of economics and marketing directorate at the provincial level and ensure presence of doctors to check health of animals on sale, availability and price of healthy milk, and appointment of veterinary graduates as analyst for milk quality.

To overcome the problem of animal shortage in the country, the draft law has taken care that animals are not slaughtered on meatless days.

CONFERENCE: A conference will be held on Nov. 27 on contributions of Khan Abdul Qayyum Khan at the Peshawar Press Club, reports app.