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The government initiated a nationwide PPR (peste des petits ruminants) vaccine campaign on Saturday with an eye to protecting 29.5-million goats and sheep from PPR or ovine rinderpest disease.
The vaccination will also bolster halal mutton exports.
Fisheries and livestock minister SM Rezaul Karim inaugurated the event on the Department of Livestock Services (DLS) premises in Pirojpur district.
The PPR vaccination drive is scheduled to run across the country until October 09.
This vaccination effort falls under the 'Eradication of PPR Disease and Control of Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) Project' under the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock (MoFL), reads a press release.
At the inaugural programme, the minister highlighted the achievements of the government in making the country self-sufficient in various aspects.
He turned the spotlight on significant progress made in the livestock sector, noting substantial increases in egg, meat and milk production over the past 12 years under the incumbent government.
Consumption of animal meat per capita has also risen significantly, reducing the need to import cattle from neighbouring countries for sacrificial purposes.
Surplus production has stoked up interest in many countries seeking disease-free and safe meat from Bangladesh.
Mr Karim said the government was providing free vaccines to ensure a healthy livestock like cow, goat, sheep, duck and chicken.
He also highlighted the global demand for mutton or goat meat from Bangladesh's 'Black Bengal' breed, especially in the Middle-Eastern countries.
"The presence of PPR disease has been a hindrance to meat exports. The eradication of this disease may open doors to meat exports, thus contributing to foreign exchange earnings."
"To achieve this goal," the minister said, "the 'Eradication of PPR Disease and Control of Foot-and-Mouth Disease Project' has been launched."
Chairing the session, MoFL secretary Dr Nahid Rashid said the project aimed at vaccinating approximately 29.5 million goats and sheep nationwide from September 30 to October 09 this year.
Plans are afoot to continue the campaign next year too.
The ultimate goal is to eradicate PPR by 2026 and obtain a disease control certificate from the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH).
PPR disease, commonly known as goat plague, is an acute, highly contagious and transboundary viral disease of sheep and goats.
It causes high morbidity and mortality with major constraints in the productivity of small ruminants in parts of the world.