Punjab CM bans maize transportation to other provinces.

LAHORE: A delegation of the dairy farmers association met Punjab Chief Minister Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi at his office on Monday and apprised him of problems of the livestock and dairy farming sector.

The CM issued instructions for resolving the issues and imposed a ban on inter-provincial transportation of maize in Punjab. He said that transportation of the produce would not be allowed out of the province to meet the needs of livestock, especially the poultry industry and dairy farming.

"The decision would benefit the local poultry industry by meeting its needs," he said, and added that instructions had been issued to the district police officers (DPOs) and deputy commissioners of the respective districts to prevent transportation and movement of maize on the exit routes of Punjab. He also directed the Livestock Department to prepare a provincial livestock policy in consultation with the stakeholders.

A committee was also formed under Provincial Livestock Minister Sardar Shahabuddin to formulate a livestock policy. The committee would include manufacturers and farmers of the livestock and dairy farming sector.

The CM said that the Punjab government would manufacture effective vaccines at local level to protect animals from diseases and added that the private sector would also be included in the process. He tasked the University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences (UVAS) vice chancellor to prepare local vaccine in six months and added that animals would be vaccinated every year to protect them from diseases. He also directed the Livestock Department to prepare a timetable for vaccination against diseases and said that the staff should regularly conduct field visits to keep an eye on animal diseases.

The chief minister said that the...