November 10, 2023

Punjab, Pakistan minister advocates private sector involvement in FMD vaccine production

Ibrahim Hasan Murad, the Livestock Minister of Punjab, Pakistan, said that it is important to involve the private sector in the large-scale production of foot and mouth disease (FMD) vaccine to meet growing demand, Business Recorder reported.

Murad stressed the importance of international verification to facilitate contracts with reputable companies in the market.

During a meeting at the Punjab Livestock Department, Minister Murad highlighted the adverse impact of past policies, leading to Punjab's substantial loss of US$6 to US$8 billion in terms of milk and meat. The meeting, chaired by the minister, included Additional Secretary Technical Dr Asif Suleman, Director General Research, and other relevant officials.

Decisions taken during the meeting included the Livestock Department's commitment to advancing the FMD controlled programme to level three. The creation of an FMD controlled compartment was also proposed to enhance dairy and meat trade with GCC and level three countries. Additionally, the Livestock Department plans to work on the formulation of a National FMD Controlled Programme, pending approval from the Federal Government.

Minister Murad directed the Livestock Department to establish a framework for third-party validation and testing of domestically developed FMD vaccines. The meeting also addressed the review of the suspension culture plant project at the University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences (UVAS).

A committee, chaired by the provincial minister, will be formed to assess the significant government losses. Minister Murad proposed initiating a one-year fellowship programme for postgraduate/PhD scholars at FMD for various research projects. The Livestock Department will also work towards legalizing the framework for revenue generation through the sale of specimens to private companies.

-      Business Recorder