Experts warn of economic impact of poultry diseases

Call for innovation and global standards to sustain industry growth

FAISALABAD:

Pakistan's poultry sector, now the second largest industry after textiles, is facing disease-related economic losses worth billions of rupees, prompting experts to call for stronger collaboration among veterinarians, industry stakeholders and farmers.

The concerns were highlighted at the inaugural session of the International Symposium on Poultry Health Challenges, jointly organised by the Department of Pathology at the University of Agriculture Faisalabad (UAF) and the World Veterinary Poultry Association (WVPA) on Wednesday.

UAF Vice Chancellor Dr Zulfiqar Ali said the poultry industry plays a vital role in meeting the country's nutritional needs but is increasingly threatened by emerging health challenges.

He stressed the importance of adopting the "One Health" approach, linking animal health with human well-being.

"The health of poultry is directly connected to public health. We must address disease risks to safeguard livelihoods and ensure food security," he said.

He added that Pakistan has the potential to tap into regional and global halal markets after meeting domestic demand.

Highlighting industry growth, he noted that poultry meat production recorded a 9.4% increase, reaching 2.58 million tonnes in 2025, driven by intensified production practices.

Director General Research, Livestock and Dairy Development Department Punjab, Dr Sajjad Hussain, underscored the need for effective disease surveillance systems to detect and control outbreaks in a timely manner.

He said modern laboratories equipped with advanced diagnostic facilities have been established to improve disease management.