Avian Influenza requires a regional approach: Sharad Pawar PARLIAMENTARY CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEE MEETS

Avian Influenza is a regional problem and requires a regional approach. This was stated by the Minister of Agriculture, Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution Shri Sharad Pawar in his opening remarks at the Parliamentary Consultative Committee attached to his Ministry here today. He said, most of India’s neighbours are frequently affected by Avian Influenza and states sharing a common border with Bangladesh remain particularly at risk. Shri Pawar said that so long as Bangladesh remains in the grip of the disease, India will also be affected.

The Minister informed the MPs that India has offered assistance to neighboring countries in testing samples and also training to their technical manpower in diagnostic techniques. He told the members that a beginning in this regard has been made and three scientists from Bangladesh received training at the High Security Animal Disease Laboratory at Bhopal few months back.

Reiterating central government’s determination to prevent Avian Influenza, Shri Pawar stated that a comprehensive programme of surveillance against the disease has been undertaken. Significant steps have been taken to upgrade the laboratory infrastructure.

The Minister of State for Agriculture, Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution Prof. KV Thomas was also present in the meeting. MPs who participated in the meeting included Shri A. Ganeshamurthi, Shri Sharief-ud-din Shariq, Shri Dhruv Narayan Rangaswami, Shri K Sugumar, Shri K.P. Dhanpalan, Shri Gobind Chandra Naskar, Sardar Sher Singh Ghubaya, Shri Ramesh Rathod, Shri K.C. Venugopal of Lok Sabha, Ms. Mabel Rebello, Shri Brijbhushan Tiwari and Shri Govindrao Adik of Rajya Sabha.

SB: consultative committee (17.2.2010)