Conferences held in UVAS on supply chain of dairy, poultry

LAHORE: University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences (UVAS) arranged two separates consultative stakeholder video conferences on challenges of efficient food supply chain of dairy, poultry and meat in Punjab during COVID-19 emergency. Punjab Minister for Livestock and Dairy Development Sardar Husnain Bahadur Dareshak presided over the events and discussed the issues, challenges which affected the livestock sector. He sought recommendation/suggestions and technical input from the stakeholders for formulation of policies/plans for smooth supply chain to catering the needs of country especially during COVID-19 emergency to safeguard the farmers for their profitability. UVAS Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr Nasim Ahmad, stakeholders from public and private dairy, meat and poultry sectors across Punjab, academicians, researchers and officials from Livestock Department participated in meetings through video link. Prof Dr Talat Naseer Pasha urged the Livestock Department to start a media campaign for awareness among the general public that consumption of milk, meat and eggs was not only safe but also significantly helped boost immune system for effectively combating the coronavirus. An open discussion was also held. All the participants put forward various suggestions/recommendations about how to combat such crisis during emergency situation in the country. It was recommended that the import of milk powders especially skimmed milk powder in the country be banned immediately to safeguard local dairy industry. Furthermore, it was recommended that feed mills, franchises and livestock products-related retail shops should be allowed to remain open by government during emergency from 9am to 8pm.

The participants demanded provision of cargo flights and subsidy on freight for facilitation of export of chicken, eggs and red meat to the regional markets during the lockdown. They called for giving special package to the livestock and poultry sector by giving them tax exemptions and free electricity during COVID-19 emergency situation.