The Government of India is urging stakeholders to establish region-specific animal disease-free zones. This initiative is aimed at bolstering the exports of valuable meat products.
Understanding Animal Disease-Free Zones
An animal disease-free zone entails a specified territory housing an animal subpopulation with a unique health status in relation to a specific disease. In establishing these zones, required biosecurity measures, control and surveillance are applied for the purpose of international trade.
The Necessity for Animal Disease-Free Zones
The initiative for creation of animal disease-free zones is fueled by several factors which include the importance of animal husbandry and the potential for increasing agricultural exports.
Animal Husbandry plays a crucial role in our rural economy as animals not only provide sustenance during hard times but also offer a great source of nutrition, especially proteins for rural inhabitants. It is one part of mixed farming practices which involves both cultivation of cash crops and rearing of livestock simultaneously, in order to diversify income sources, answering land and labour demands all year round.
In terms of Agricultural Exports, India holds the position of being the largest exporter of frozen and bovine meat. Significant growth has also been observed in the export of organic honey and fish produce.
Promoting International Trade Through Disease-Free Zones
According to the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE), zoning is considered as a risk management strategy used to control and eradicate animal diseases progressively. It is also used for providing guarantees for international trade.
Government Initiatives Related to Disease Free Zones
The Government of India has initiated several programmes to support the creation of disease-free zones. These programs include:
– The National Animal Disease Control Programme, which aims to control and eradicate Foot & Mouth Disease (FMD) and Brucellosis in livestock across the country.
– The National Livestock Mission, which has proposed the setting up of animal farms for rearing livestock to produce good quality meat and thereby, quality value-added products.
– The Animal Husbandry Infrastructure Development Fund is a significant fund initiated by the government which includes a variety of stakeholders such as Farmer Producer Organisations (FPO), private dairy players, individual entrepreneurs, and non-profits within its purview.
– The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) was established by the Government of India under the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority Act, 1985. It aims to promote exports of fresh and processed agriculture and animal products by setting standards and specifications, suggesting and supporting improvements in packaging, marketing strategies, facilitating the development of products for export, setting export zones, and organising export strategies.
Steps Towards Implementation
In order to implement this concept effectively, there are several paths suggested. One of them is adopting the Sikkim model which has been declared as an organic state. Also, improving the quality of veterinary services is essential as the effectiveness of zoning majorly depends on it. Lastly, to reap benefits from external markets, quickening bilateral recognition of disease-free zones is important. This can be achieved through bilateral veterinary agreements or free trade agreements that outline clear areas and procedures to be implemented by trading partner countries.