The Saudi delegation visited different poultry farms in the country to inspect the standard of the poultry facilities, according to a press release issued in the country last week, on 3 January.

According to the Associated Press of Pakistan (APP), the delegation also visited the National Reference Laboratory for Poultry Diseases and National Veterinary Laboratory situated at NARC (National Agricultural Research Center) in Islamabad and expressed satisfaction over their standards.

It may be noted that Saudi Arabia had suspended imports of hatching eggs and day-old chicks from Pakistan in 2005-06 due to the eruption of bird flu.

The SFDA delegation also held a meeting with senior officials of Ministry of National Food Security & Research (MNFSR), which was presided over by Secretary Seerat Asghar.

Seerat Asghar apprised the delegation of various preventive and precautionary measures undertaken by Pakistan to successfully contain the H5NI virus since 2005.

The Secretary also announced that a successful “National Programme for the Control and Prevention of Avian Influenza” was launched at a total cost of 1180.142 for the control of the disease.

He also informed about various measures undertaken complying with international standards to modernise poultry industry infrastructure and facilities.

Mr Asghar further stated that due to concerted efforts and hardwork Pakistan declared freedom from bird flu disease with effect from 22 September 2008 and since then the poultry industry has been growing at an annual rate of 13 per cent.

Mr Asghar also hoped that Saudi Arabia might soon restore import of poultry products from Pakistan.

The dignitaries on both sides also agreed that there was a great potential of trade in the areas of poultry and livestock between the two countries. Both sides also agreed that there was a need to further strengthen bilateral trade between two brotherly countries.