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Parshottam Rupala calls for creation of animal disease free zones for boosting value-added meat products
To boost exports of value-added meat products, the Union Minister for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry, Parshottam Rupala has called on stakeholders to work towards creation of region specific animal disease free zones in the country.
Rupala, while inaugurating the National Business Meet on promoting exports of value-added meat products organized by APEDA in New Delhi on March 25, 2022, said that even in case of single outbreak of disease amongst poultry bird, the entire country is referred as ‘disease affected’.
“All the stakeholders must take small steps and work to declare small regions- a few districts at a time, as disease free,” said Rupala, while referring to the model of Sikkim being declared as an organic state and its produce command a premium in the market.
He said that there is a need to initiate a survey with all stakeholders to prepare a road map with actionable points to make India disease free in terms of animal health. “At the same time, we must have an action plan for identifying contaminated areas and quarantine just like we have done for prevention of COVID-19,” Rupala noted.
He said animals are the life support system for our rural economy, they provide sustenance in difficult times and a great source of nutrition particularly proteins for the rural folk. There is a need to work to increase animal productivity.
Rupala also released two manuals on export of value-added meat products and pork & pork products.