Industry status sought for dairy sector.

LAHORE -- Saying that the federal budget 2022-23 lacks any worthwhile new initiative, livestock stakeholders have demanded the status of the industry for the dairy sector.

Expressing their views at a post-budget dialogue organised by the University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences (UVAS) here on Tuesday, various stakeholders from poultry, dairy, meat, and leather sectors and senior university faculty lauded the exemption of import duties on agricultural machinery and several other initiatives of the government but noted that the budget largely maintained status quo and was devoid of any notable initiative to ameliorate the woes of the livestock sector.

The dialogue was co-chaired by UVAS Vice-Chancellor Dr Nasim Ahmad and Animal Husbandry Commissioner Dr Muhammad Akram.

The participants suggested that allocations for the livestock be enhanced keeping in view the mammoth contribution of the sector in the GDP and that the dairy sector should be given industry status and duties on imported milk should be increased to protect the local farmers, who are facing increasing pressure from rising costs of production.

They underscored the need for significant policy and budgetary initiatives to ensure the viability of livestock business in...