Context
Union Minister for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry has called on stakeholders to work towards the creation of region-specific animal disease-free zones in the country to boost exports of value-added meat products.
About Animal Disease Free Zone
- According to the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE), zoning is a risk management strategy for achieving the progressive control and eradication of animal diseases, and for providing guarantees for international trade.
- Animal Disease Free Zone is one in which the absence of a specific infection in an animal population has been demonstrated in accordance with the relevant requirements.
Importance of an Animal Disease Free Zone
- Animals are the life support system for the 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.
- Moreover, India is the largest exporter of frozen and bovine meat.
- Hence, there is a need to create region-specific animal disease-free zones in the country.
