ABSTRACT
Livestock and poultry sectors make a significant contribution to the national GDP and are an integral part of Agriculture in Pakistan. Moreover, the livelihood of most of the poor masses in the country is linked with these two sectors. Both these sectors are developing at a good pace, especially the poultry sector. One of the reasons of development in these sectors is the role played by the veterinary professionals engaged in public and private sectors. Though, both the sectors are developing, yet some issues relating to these sectors still need to be addressed, so that the contributions made by these sectors can further be improved. In this chapter, such issues have been identified and remedial measures are suggested so that both, poultry and livestock can play a better role in the economic uplift of the people engaged in this business and ultimately the country. Some of the issues identified are the unreliable data about livestock population in the country, misplaced focus of the veterinary service, poor system of technology transfer, poor reproductive herd health management, problematic disease diagnosis, parasitic control, climate change, issues related to disease surveillance and quarantine, disease eradication/control programs, vaccines and drugs. Legislation is required in food safety related issues, disease eradication and control programs, and animal movement, etc. The reference laboratories and centers of excellence are required to be established in different areas of disease prevention, genetic improvement of animals so that they remain protected from the diseases. Both, livestock and poultry have export potential which can further be increased by value addition to the livestock and poultry produce.
