KARACHI, Dec 10: Sindh government will establish a modern “livestock export yard” in Karachi at a cost of Rs100 million to boost exports of livestock and meat.

This was stated by secretary food, livestock and fisheries, Imtiaz Qazi, while presiding over a meeting of livestock department here on Tuesday that reviewed feasibility report of the export yard.

Qazi said livestock farmers would separately raise disease resistant and healthy cattle in this yard for export purposes. This will not only increase the income of cattle farmers but also ensure the availability of surplus animals and meat for exports, he observed.

He said vast scope existed for the export of live animals and meat to Middle East, Saudi Arabia, Europe and other countries.

He said the country must make arrangements for producing good quality live animal and meat, its slaughtering and processing on scientific lines to earn more foreign exchange.

Qazi pointed out that efforts were on to acquire a 10 acres plot on Super Highway for this purpose where all facilities, including storage of livestock and feeding, will be provided to cattle and meat exporters.

Director general, livestock and fisheries, Dr Baaz Mohammad Junejo, in his briefing said a modern slaughter house would be built at this export yard coupled with a large cold storage.

Similarly, it will have a modern processing plant and quarantine facilities to ensure export of quality meat.

Junejo said this yard would also have sheds for live animals, modern veterinary hospital and laboratory and rest house for cattle owners and exporters.—APP