PM orders to set up national livestock vaccine plant
New vaccine plant planned
The government will establish the Pakistan livestock vaccine plant at the National Agricultural Research Centre (NARC). The prime minister directed the relevant authorities to prepare and submit a strategy within one week.
During a meeting, officials informed the prime minister that vaccines currently available for livestock in Pakistan were not approved by the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP).
The proposed Pakistan livestock vaccine plant aims to support the local production of purified vaccines and reduce reliance on products that do not meet the required approval standards.
The government plans to use its own resources for the project. However, officials have not yet shared a detailed timeline for the plant’s completion.
Livestock board to be restructured
Shehbaz Sharif also ordered the restructuring of the Livestock and Dairy Development Board (LDDB), which was established in 2007.
He directed officials to include experts from the private sector in the board’s structure. The move is intended to improve the management and development of Pakistan’s livestock and dairy industries.
The prime minister stressed that the private sector should play a leading role in developing the industry.
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Focus shifts to meat and dairy exports
The meeting also discussed ways to increase the value of livestock products and improve export opportunities.
The prime minister directed officials to include imported livestock kept in special bonded warehouses in value-addition processes to support meat and dairy exports.
The proposed Pakistan livestock vaccine plant is part of wider efforts to strengthen the livestock sector through local production and improved industry management.
Officials also briefed the meeting on steps being taken to establish and improve special bonded warehouse arrangements.
Slaughterhouse audits underway
Officials informed the prime minister that third-party audits of slaughterhouses had begun.
These audits are intended to review facilities and support efforts to meet the standards required for meat exports.
The government is also working on measures related to bonded warehouses and the value addition of livestock products.
Senior officials attend meeting
The meeting was attended by federal ministers Rana Tanveer Hussain, Ahsan Iqbal, Azam Nazeer Tarar, Dr Musadik Masood Malik, Ahad Khan Cheema and Jam Kamal Khan.
Minister of State for Finance Bilal Azhar Kiani and other senior officials were also present.
