LAHORE: The Punjab government has finalised the Punjab Animal Health Act 2018 to effectively prevent, control, contain and eradicate deadly animal diseases. The law will allow the livestock department to authorise its officers to undertake inspections within specified local limits of their respective jurisdiction to find out the affected animals. according to a report by a private media outlet.
The diseases include Avian Influenza, Babesiosis, Black Quarters, Blue Tongue, Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (Mad Cow), Bovine Tuberculosis (BTb), Bovine Viral Diarrhea, Buffalo Pox/Cow Pox, Camel Pox, Contagious Bovine Pleuro-pneumonia, Contagious Caprine Pleuro-pneumonia, Equine Influenza, Foot and Mouth Disease, Haemorrhagic Septicaemia, Rabies, Scrapie, Sheep and Goat Pox, Strangles.
The animals to be covered by the law include cattle, buffalo, sheep, goat, camel, horse, ass, mule, wild animals, poultry, pheasant, quail, geese, ostrich and zoo birds.
The law will disallow taking out of a controlled area an animal, alive or dead, which is infected with, or reasonably suspected to have been infected with any such disease.
The law will provide for prevention of escape of causative organism from any institution, laboratory or clinic engaged in the manufacture, testing or research, related to vaccines, sera, diagnostics or chemotherapeutic drugs aimed at the prevention or treatment of any scheduled disease. Any violation will lead to imprisonment and fine.
Taking out any kind of fodder, bedding or other material which has come into contact with any animal infected with a disease or could, in any manner, carry the infection of the notified disease or the carcass, skin or any other part or product of such animal will also be banned.
Vehicles used for transporting animals will be kept clean and competent officers will inspect them to ensure that they are safe and comfortable for the animals.
Anyone found throwing infected animal or its carcass in any river, lake, canal or any other water channel will be punished with imprisonment and fine.
