Minister of State for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry, and Dairying Dr. Sanjeev Kumar Balyan chaired the inaugural session of the 33^rd Conference of the WOAH (World Organization for Animal Health) Regional Commission for Asia and the Pacific at New Delhi today. Many dignitories including MoS(FAHD),Dr. L. Murugan were present at the occasion.  This 4-day event is scheduled from November 13 to 16, 2023.

Dr. Sanjeev Kumar Balyan said that as per WOAH 69 % of the human infections originate from the animals. This underscore the rising demand in areas of food safety, public health and animal welfare and antimicrobial resistance. To enhance the high quality veternary service for farmers the Government of India is actively involved in the establishment of mobile veternary unit. Along with this the  National Digital Livestiock Mission has recognised the significant potential for digitisation in our country's livestock and dairy sector. The Government of India has started the Implementation of livestock health and disease control programme using One Health Approach. On the other hand, Government of India has implemented disease control programme for FMD and Brucellosis, PPR and classical swine fever through carpet vaccinatrion of all eligible livestock in  the country.

MoS Dr L Murugan said that the Fisheries sector is playing a major role in the social economic as well as the nutritional requirement of protein This contributes to 1% of the national GDP and 5.37 % of Agri GDP.  Ancilliary industries like cold storage, transportation  also benefits from this. He said that Annual Fish production in our country in 2023 is expected to be 174 lakh tonnes. Which was 162 lakh tonnes in 2021-22 and annual growth of 8% is observed in fish production. With the continuous efforts  of our Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and MoFAH&D, Shri Parshottam Rupala sustainable and significant development is happening in this sector. Earlier our Prime Minister launched the Blue Revolution which aims to double the farmer’s income.

Secretary, Dept of Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Smt. Alka Upadhyaya and the Indian delegate in WOAH, was appointed as the chairperson. In her address, she highlighted the significance of One Health under the National Digital Livestock Mission, transforming the livestock health landscape in India and globally.

Delegates and experts from 24 member countries are participating physically, with others joining virtually. The event was graced by dignitaries including Dr. Monique Eloit, WOAH Director General; Dr. Baoxu Huang, President, WOAH Regional Commission of Asia and the Pacific; Dr. Abhijit Mitra, Animal Husbandry Commissioner, GoI and Dr. Hirofumi Kugita, WOAH Regional Representative for Asia and Pacific, Japan.

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