Lahore, February 10, 2023 (PPI-OT):The Department of Animal Nutrition of the University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences (UVAS) Lahore arranged stakeholder meeting on ‘Genetically Modification Organisms Issues and Future Strategies’ here at City Campus Lahore. UVAS Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr Nasim Ahmad and Vice-Chancellor University of Education Lahore (UE) Prof Dr Talat Naseer Pasha co-chaired the meeting and sought recommendation/suggestions and technical input from stakeholder regarding the import of genetically modified vegetable meals for poultry feed under provision of Pakistan biosafety rule.
Vegetable (soybean/canola/sunflower) meal is one of the essential ingredients for production of poultry feed. The feed manufacturer and commercial importers need to import such meal from different countries of the world and in order to import these genetically modified meals need to require environmental license from the Pakistan Environment Protection Agency under the provision of Pakistan biosafety rule.
Speaking on the occasion, Prof Dr Nasim Ahmad said that UVAS always playing its lead role as a think tank/trouble-shooter to solve livestock, poultry and dairy industries issues. He said Pakistan is a well-populated country and price of quality meat available on very much high rate due to unavailability of soybean now a days and we already facing stunting and malnutrition issues here in Pakistan. He said UVAS provide a best platform to poultry stakeholders/professionals where they can share their issues/constraints and recommendations to address poultry sector issues.
While addressing the audience, Prof Dr Talat Naseer Pasha urged stakeholders to start social media campaign for creating awareness among general public regarding the adoption of genetically modification organisms techniques for enhancing crops production which is using all over the world and never injurious for human health. He also stressed to constitute a biosafety committee for the assistance of poultry industry to fulfill requirement for attaining license to restart the import of soybean in Pakistan.
All the stakeholders recommended to instantly lifting ban on the import of soybean in Pakistan. They supported the adaptation of GMO`s techniques for the enhancing of crops production. They requested the Government of Pakistan to make farmers friendly policies to boost poultry sector. They recommended to start media campaign to curb misconception associated with GMO’s.
President Pakistan Medical Council Prof Dr Ashraf Nizami was the guest of honour while many stakeholders from public and private sectors across Punjab (Pakistan Poultry Association, Buffalo Research Institute, Agriculture Department), academicians, researchers and officials from Livestock Department participated in meeting.
For more information, contact:
Public Relations Officer
University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences (UVAS)
Syed Abdul Qadir Jillani (Out Fall) Road,
Lahore – Pakistan
Tel: +92-42-99211374, +92-42-99211449
Email: webmaster@uvas.edu.pk
Website: www.uvas.edu.pk