Livestock card scheme behind 43pc rise in animal exports, claims Punjab govt

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LAHORE: Punjab’s livestock sector has recorded a 43pc increase in animal exports, with 400,000 animals prepared for export in a year and rural livestock farmers expected to earn Rs11 billion. This was claimed by the government in a press release attributing the success to the Chief Minister’s Punjab Livestock Card Scheme launched by her under which farmers are receiving Rs27,000 per animal to meet feed and fodder expenses. The provincial government has notified eight Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) compartments and plans to establish seven more this year to facilitate exports to China, Europe and the United States. A total of 129,581 animals reared under the livestock card scheme have been exported, it added. The government plans to establish five meat-processing plants and as many modern slaughterhouses, alongside meat-packing facilities and commercial and corporate feedlots. It will provide Rs19bn in financing subsidies for integrated livestock value-chain investments, while private investment of Rs65bn is expected in the meat value chain. Punjab will also establish its first FMD vaccine production unit under a public-private partnership, with private investment of Rs28bn, according to the handout. The district-wise export figures include 20,000 animals from Lahore, 24,297 from Bahawalpur, 12,529 from Faisalabad, 21,000 from Gujranwala and Gujrat, 27,000 from Multan, 22,000 from Sargodha and 2,661 from Sahiwal. Under the Livestock Connect system, the government has established direct links with 1,725 fattening farms, 20 export slaughterhouses, 88 meat exporters and 34 meat traders. The number of rural women livestock farmers registered under the livestock card scheme has increased from 90 to 1,107. Meanwhile, warning of strict action against negligent officials, Punjab Livestock Secretary Ahmad Aziz Tarar has announced a zero-tolerance policy regarding any delay or concealment in reporting disease outbreaks among livestock across the province. Presiding over a meeting via video link, the secretary reviewed the spread of FMD, available vaccine stocks and ongoing containment measures. He directed the field authorities and departmental directors to ensure an abundant supply of the FMD vaccine down to every district and tehsil level within the next 24 hours. Officials were further instructed to strictly implement standard operating procedures, utilise the ADRS Info app for real-time reporting and enforce targeted ring-vaccination around affected areas to safeguard livestock populations. Published in Dawn, October 19th, 2026

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