Concrete steps required to curb FMD in livestock sector, NA body told

ISLAMABAD: Foot and mouth disease (FMD) in the livestock sector is a major challenge in Pakistani meat exports; therefore, concrete measures are mandatory to curb the disease. “To control FMD in the livestock sector, we need to take measures as per international standards”, said Secretary, Ministry of National Food Security and Research (MNFS&R) Amir Ali Ahmed, while briefing the National Assembly Standing Committee on National Food Security and Research on the key challenges confronting Pakistan’s livestock sector, particularly the cattle, poultry and dairy segments. The committee met with MNA Syed Hussain Tariq in the chair. The chairman said thatthe meeting was convened following the directives of the Prime Minister to deliberate on increasing livestock, cattle and poultry production in the country. Ahmed said that the country’s livestock sector contributes 60 percent to agriculture and around 15 percent of Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Exports from FMD-affected areas affect price and competitiveness, he said, adding that due to FMD, meat has to be exported in boneless form, which increases its export costs. He said that investment in modern feeding and improved agricultural practices is necessary for enhancement of meat quality. A PC-1 had been approved for FMD control in 2025 and work on the project has been started, he said, adding that his ministry has also started consultation with the provincial governments and other stakeholders. The secretary said that 29, 000 functional and accredited institutions are currently involved in meat exports. Meat is exported to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), while 10 firms have been approved for meat exports to Iran, he said. He further said that the approval of meat exports to Qatar, Oman and other countries was currently underway. Representatives of the livestock sector briefed the committee on the major constraints affecting the sector, including high production and input costs, taxation and heavy duties, limited subsidies and access to soft loans, under-utilization of local inputs, inadequate mechanization, and challenges relating to breed improvement. The committee directed the secretary, MNFS&R, to examine these issues in consultation with the relevant federal and provincial authorities and take appropriate measures to reduce production costs, improve access to affordable financing, promote local inputs, facilitate mechanization, and strengthen breed improvement programmes. They also informed the parliamentary body regarding difficulties concerning the availability and import of essential veterinary medicines, machinery, equipment, and technologies, particularly where such items are not adequately available locally. They also pointed out the need for an effective regulatory framework for veterinary pharmaceuticals and responsible use of antibiotics in accordance with international standards and SOPs. The NA panel was also informed that livestock is primarily a provincial subject following the 18th Constitutional Amendment, requiring effective coordination among federal and provincial institutions. The committee directed the MNFS&R to ensure coordination with the provincial governments and relevant institutions on livestock-sector development, while export and trade-related matters were to be pursued by the secretary, Ministry of Commerce within the Ministry’s mandate. To improve trade facilitation, the representatives proposed one-window operations and export facilitation centres, along with fast-tracking of official, regulatory, and codal formalities. The committee also directed the Secretary, Ministry of Commerce, to enhance Pakistan’s international market exposure through trade fairs, exhibitions, trade missions, and business-to-business engagements, with a focus on identifying new markets and buyers for livestock, dairy, and poultry products. Representatives of the poultry industry raised concerns over negative propaganda regarding chicken and eggs on social media. They said that the negative propaganda badly affects the market, adding that legislation is mandatory for controlling such social media content. Representatives of poultry exporters said that Pakistani poultry exports face a 5 percent duty in the UAE, compared with 3 percent on Indian poultry exports. They said that for increasing Pakistani poultry exports, effective government support and incentives are necessary. They urged the government to play its role in opening the Qatari market to Pakistani poultry products. The exporters further said poultry products were on the negative list for exports, preventing the sector from receiving benefits and incentives available to other export-oriented industries. They proposed the establishment of special zones for poultry and agricultural exports in Pakistan. They said that with adequate government support and incentives, the country could export 1, 000 containers of poultry products annually. The meeting was attended by MNAs Waseem Qadir, Abdul Qadir Khan, Syed Javed Ali Shah Jillani, Syed Abrar Ali Shah, Zulfiqar Ali Behan, and Sanjay Perwani, and senior officials of MNFS&R. Copyright Business Recorder, 2026

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