30th Meeting of National Assembly Standing Committee on National Food Security and Research with Special Focus on Livestock and Poultry
The 30th meeting of the National Assembly Standing Committee on National Food Security and Research was held in the Committee Room of the National Agricultural Research Center (NARC), Islamabad. The Standing Committee Meeting on Livestock and Poultry was chaired by Member National Assembly Syed Hussain Tariq.
Standing Committee Meeting on Livestock and Poultry
The Standing Committee meeting on livestock and poultry reviewed in detail the major challenges facing Pakistan’s livestock sector, especially the poultry, dairy and meat sectors. The meeting was attended by members of the committee including Waseem Qadir, Abdul Qadir Khan, Syed Javed Ali Shah Jilani, Syed Abrar Ali Shah, Zulfiqar Ali Behan and Sanjay Parwani, Secretary National Food Security and Research Aamir Ali Ahmed, Secretary Commerce Jawad Pal, Chairman Pakistan Agricultural Research Council Dr. Murtaza Hassan Andrabi, former Member of National Assembly Chaudhry Jafar Iqbal, Assistant Director National Assembly Secretariat Hassan Shahzad, Secretary Committee Babraq Habib, senior officials of the Ministry of National Food Security and Research and the Ministry of Commerce, and representatives of the livestock sector.
وزیر اعظم پاکستان کی لائیوسٹاک پوٹینشل پر منعقدہ نیشنل سیمینار میں شرکت ۔۔ تفصیلی رپورٹ
Livestock and Poultry Sector Representatives
The livestock and poultry sector was represented by Chairman Livestock Breeding Services Authority Dr. Aleem Bhatti, Chairman Pakistan Veterinary Pharmaceuticals Association Dr. Asim Mahmood Khan, Chairman All Pakistan Meat Exporters and Processors Association Mian Abdul Hanan, CEO Pakistan Dairy Association Dr. Shahzad Amin, General Secretary Buffalo Breeders Association Punjab Mian Samiullah, Arsalan Sarwar and Sohail Ahmed from Noor Poultry, Shahryar Khalid from Khalid Majeed Group, Dr. Muhammad Ali Hamza from Friesland Campina Engro Pakistan and others.
نور پولٹری کی جانب سے ہبرڈ ایفیشنسی پلس پاکستان میں لانچ کر دیا گیا
Rising Production Costs and Sector Challenges
Cost of Production and various challenges were discussed in Standing Committee meeting on livestock and poultry. Representatives of the livestock sector told the committee that the continuous increase in production and input costs, taxes and heavy duties, limited subsidies, insufficient access to easy and cheap credit, underutilization of local resources, insufficient mechanization and improvement livestock breeds are major obstacles to the development of the sector.
The committee directed the Secretary, Ministry of National Food Security and Research to review these issues in collaboration with the relevant federal and provincial institutions and take effective steps to reduce production costs, provide cheap credit, use local inputs, promote modern machinery and strengthen breed improvement programs.
Veterinary Medicines and Equipment
The Standing Committee meeting on livestock and poultry also discussed the difficulties related to the availability and import of essential veterinary medicines, machinery, equipment and modern technology. The participants said that some essential items are not available locally in adequate quantities, due to which import facilities are needed.
In addition, emphasis was also placed on ensuring an effective regulatory system for veterinary pharmaceuticals and responsible use of antibiotics in accordance with international standards and prescribed SOPs.
The committee directed the relevant authorities to provide adequate facilities in the import of essential veterinary medicines and equipment, improve the regulatory system for veterinary pharmaceuticals and ensure prudent and responsible use of antibiotics.
لیئر فارمنگ: ہائی سیکس وائیٹ لیئر کی پاکستان میں فراہمی، لانچنگ تقریبات کا اہتمام
Increasing Livestock, Dairy and Poultry Exports
A detailed discussion was also held regarding increasing exports of livestock, dairy and poultry products. The representatives described trade barriers, negative lists, import restrictions and various conditions imposed by other countries as major obstacles to exports.
They said that Pakistan needs to identify new global markets, produce according to international standards, add value and improve its global competitiveness.
The committee directed the Ministry of Commerce to work with the relevant authorities and trading partner countries to take steps to reduce trade barriers, identify new international markets and increase exports of Pakistani livestock, dairy and poultry products.
One-Window Export Facilitation
The meeting also proposed the establishment of one-window operations and export facilitation centers to facilitate exporters to complete various government, legal and regulatory steps on a single platform.
The committee directed the Ministry of Commerce to assess the feasibility of these proposals and take appropriate measures to simplify and expedite the export procedure.
International Trade Promotion
The committee also stressed the need to promote international trade fairs, exhibitions, trade delegations and business-to-business contacts to increase Pakistan’s presence in global markets. The aim of this initiative is to find new buyers and new markets for Pakistani livestock, dairy and poultry products.
Poultry and Livestock Expos in Pakistan
Federal-Provincial Coordination
The meeting also emphasized that livestock is primarily a provincial matter after the 18th Constitutional Amendment. Hence, effective coordination and cooperation between federal and provincial institutions is essential.
The committee directed the Ministry of National Food Security and Research to ensure effective coordination with provincial governments and relevant institutions.
