LAHORE, July 15: University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences Vice-Chancellor Prof. Talat Pasha has said the fictitious control of local governments is one of the impediments in the way of boosting meat production and attracting private investors in livestock sector.

Talking to APP here on Sunday, he said making the meat sector free from any government control would help increase its production and quality.

“The price lists affixed at butcher shops are not implemented by both sellers and buyers and the practice of listing and pricing meat gives negative signals to investors.”

Prof. Pasha stressed for making meat free from any level of government control like poultry which is growing at the ratio of 10 per cent annually.

“The price of meat in Iran is $12 per kg while in Pakistan its rate is $5 per kg which is not attractive for investors.”

Commenting on the prevailing shortage and price hike of meat, he pointed out that one of the reasons of meat shortage and its price hike was the early slaughtering of calves. According to a raw estimation, around one million calves are being slaughtered annually in and around Karachi.

Early slaughtering of calves should be discouraged.

A 50-kg calf after its farming within one year grows to 200-kg animal which ultimately boosts the production of meat to four times which will not only be adequate for local consumption but also an ample quantity of qualitative meat will be available for export.

Revamping of slaughter houses on scientific lines will also be helpful in revenue generation as the by-products of slaughtering animals including intestines should be reprocessed for earning money and eradication of environmental pollution. — APP