Use of herbicides must be stopped to protect livestock sector: Adviser Farida

The use of herbicides must be halted to safeguard the livestock sector, stated Farida Akhter, Adviser to the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock, during the inaugural session of a national technical workshop on "Food Safety and Health," held at the Bangladesh Agricultural University on Saturday. 

Highlighting the importance of food safety, Akhtar pointed out that monitoring the use of antibiotics in animal feed is crucial to prevent health risks to humans.

She noted that the use of herbicides is leading to poisoning in cattle and goats, emphasizing the need for their discontinuation.

Her comments were made in the context of increasing awareness about food safety following the FAO's international conference in the 1990s, which underscored the necessity for safe food production.

She stressed the importance of educating the public about the quality of vegetables, particularly in light of unscrupulous practices to enhance their appearance with artificial colors.

The seminar, organized by the Bangladesh Society for Safe Food (BSSF), took place at the Syed Nazrul Islam Conference Hall at BAU. Prof. Dr. Md. Khaled Hossain, President of the BSSF, presided over the event, while BAU Vice-Chancellor (VC) Prof. Dr. A K Fazlul Haque Bhuiyan offered patronage. Special guests included Patuakhali Science and Technology University’s VC Prof. Dr. Kazi Rafiqul Islam; Director General of the Department of Livestock Services Dr. Md. Reajul Haq; Bangladesh Food Safety Authority’s Chairman (Additional Secretary) Mr. Zakaria; and Director of the Institute of Epidemiology, Disease Control And Research & Chair of One Health Secretariat Prof Dr. Tahmina Shirin.

The keynote was presented by Prof Dr. Md. Mahmudul Hasan Sikder from BAU’s Department of Pharmacology and Prof. Dr. KHM Nazmul Hussain Nazir from the Department of Microbiology and Hygiene serving as the event’s moderator.

In his address, the BAU Vice-Chancellor emphasized the university's leading role in ensuring food security and nutrition through research and education.

He highlighted the collaborative efforts of various faculties, including veterinary, agriculture, animal husbandry, fisheries, and agricultural engineering, to improve food safety and nutrition standards.

He also acknowledged the significant contributions of the veterinary and animal husbandry faculties in enhancing egg production and nutritional quality through modern technologies and research.

The workshop aims to foster collaboration among agricultural disciplines to improve food safety and security across the country.