ISLAMABAD, Aug 30: The government has submitted a dossier to the World Animal Health Organisation (OIE) seeking the status of rinderpest-free country. Rinderpest is a highly fatal viral disease of domestic cattle and buffaloes etc. It also affects sheep, goats and some breeds of pigs and a large variety of wildlife species. Historically, the virus is widely prevalent throughout Europe, Africa, Asia and West Asia.

The dossier was signed by the secretary ministry of food, agriculture and livestock (Minfal) and animal husbandry commissioner at a ceremony witnessed by representatives of international agencies and national organisations.

The disease killed 40,000 heads of cattle in the Northern Areas in 1994.

Later, the Minfal with the coordination of international organisations, including the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) of the United Nations and European Commission (EC) started the eradication activities.

In the last five years, more than 10,000 villages were searched with scientific approach by the field staff of provincial livestock departments and more than 120,000 animals were tested for the disease.

Speaking at the signing ceremony, Memed Gunawan, the FAO representative in Islamabad, congratulated the government of Pakistan on this achievement and assured full support to strengthen the livestock sector of the country.

Ismail Qureshi, secretary Minfal appreciated the efforts of the concerned agencies and officials for this achievement for Pakistan.