Pakistan eyes disease-free zones, wider meat access to Türkiye

Pakistan and Türkiye have agreed to pursue cooperation in livestock, agriculture and value-added food exports, Mettis Global reported on November 5. A Turkish technical delegation is expected to visit Pakistan to discuss local production of Foot-and-Mouth Disease vaccines, while Pakistan plans to send about 30 people to Türkiye as an initial group under a proposed training programme for 100 participants.

The countries also connected improved animal health and vaccine capacity with Pakistan’s plans for disease-free zones and broader access to meat markets, particularly in Türkiye. Their discussions covered university and ministry links, as well as applying Turkish expertise in livestock; a Pakistani delegation is preparing a report on possible areas of cooperation. They also reviewed a TIKA-supported olive oil facility in Muzaffarabad, which has reportedly helped around 5,000 farmers, and Pakistan’s interest in similar projects in several regions.