Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced plans on Monday to establish a national plant for producing livestock vaccines. The federal government will fund the facility to manufacture modern and effective vaccines for animals.
Shehbaz directed officials to prepare a strategy within one week for establishing the plant. The proposed facility will operate at the National Agricultural Research Centre (NARC), according to the Prime Minister’s Office.
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Officials informed the meeting that currently available livestock vaccines in Pakistan lacked approval from the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP). The government aims to address this issue through domestic production of purified vaccines.
The prime minister also ordered the restructuring of the Livestock and Dairy Development Board (LDDB). Established in 2007, the board aims to improve livestock breeding, increase milk and meat production, and support industry development.
Shehbaz called for private-sector experts to join the board and improve its performance. He also directed officials to submit a restructuring plan as soon as possible.
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Furthermore, the prime minister ordered measures to bring imported livestock held in special bonded warehouses into value-added production. The government aims to increase exports of meat and dairy products through these efforts.
The meeting also reviewed reforms designed to expand livestock-related exports. Officials reported that third-party slaughterhouse audits had begun and that authorities were working to establish special bonded warehouses for imported livestock. Shehbaz stressed that the private sector should lead the development of Pakistan’s livestock industry.