Government Announces FMD-Free Zones to Boost Animal Product Exports

The government plans to establish Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD)-free zones in eight states to boost human exports. Alka Upadhyaya, Secretary in the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying, announced the initiative at a workshop focusing on animal infectious disease prioritisation. The move aims to enhance India's global market presence.

The government has unveiled plans to create Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD)-free zones across eight states to bolster animal product exports, according to a senior official.

Alka Upadhyaya, Secretary in the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying, shared this initiative during a recent workshop on animal infectious disease prioritisation, co-organized by the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO).

Upadhyaya highlighted the significant progress made in combating key diseases like FMD, Peste des Petits Ruminants, Brucellosis, and Classical Swine Fever under the National Control Programme. Establishing FMD-free zones is expected to open international markets for India's animal products, strengthening the nation's global presence.

The three-day workshop concluded with a prioritized list of top 20 animal infectious diseases, based on their severity, transmissibility, and national importance. An action plan focusing on coordination, communication, monitoring, prevention, therapeutics, and socio-economic planning was also developed.

(With inputs from agencies.)