The Minister of State for Agriculture and Rural Development, Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, has called on the Nigerian Veterinary Medical Association to intensify vaccines production to curb Avian Influenza and other animal diseases in the country.
He made the call when the association’s executives visited him in his office in Abuja.
Lokpobiri said for the government to achieve a sustainable food security, more funding was required to support commercial vaccine production.
He said: “For us to achieve the objective, we need more funding. If the Veterinary Council of Nigeria and your association intensify efforts in vaccines production, we will be able to control or combat the spread of Avian Influenza and other deadly diseases.”
The minister commended the collaboration between the Veterinary Council and the Veterinary Medical Association, assuring that the ministry would complement their efforts by providing standard abattoirs,cattle grazing and other problems.
He promised to direct the Director, Legal Department in the ministry to work with the association in reviewing relevant laws that would enhance their operations.
Nigerian Veterinary Medical Association President, Dr. Edgar Amos Sunday, who led the delegation, noted that the group had contributed to the development of the agricultural sector, especially in the containment of livestock and zoonotic diseases, curbing of cattle rustling and herdsmen/farmers clashes.
He highlighted the need to review laws hindering veterinary service delivery and livestock development.
“This should aim to repeal obsolete sections and insert new ones to suit contemporary realities,” he added.