Lok Sabha Question No. 2808 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-03-18
Subject: World Organization for Animal Health
Ministry: FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING
Asked by: Shri Manish Jaiswal, Shri Devusinh Chauhan

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING DEPARTMENT OF ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING LOK SABHA ADMITTED UN STARRED QUESTION NO.2808

TO BE ANSWERED ON 18 TH  MARCH, 2025

## WORLD ORGANIZATION FOR ANIMAL HEALTH

2808. SHRI MANISH JAISWAL:

SHRI DEVUSINH CHAUHAN:

Will the Minister of FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING मत्स्यपालन , पशुपालन और डेयरी मंत्री be pleased to State:

- (a)  the  extent  to  which  partnership  with  World  Organization  for  Animal  Health  (WOAH)  benefit Indian livestock farmers, especially small and marginal farmers;
- (b) the extent to which roadmap address critical challenges such as disease control, vaccination and biosecurity in livestock management;
- (c) the measures are being taken to improve the quality and safety of dairy and meat products under this partnership;
- (d)  the  extent  to  which  initiative  contribute  to  employment  generation  in  the  livestock  and  dairy sectors; and
- (e) whether there are any financial incentives or subsidies for private companies to participate in this initiative, if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## THE HON'BLE MINISTER OF STATE FOR FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY & DAIRYING

(PROF. S P SINGH BAGHEL)

(a) and (b) The World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH), formerly known as the OIE, is an intergovernmental organization dedicated to enhancing animal health and welfare globally. With 183 member countries, including India, WOAH establishes international standards through the Terrestrial Animal  Health  Code  (TAHC) which  provides  science-based  guidelines  on  disease  surveillance, diagnostics, biosecurity, vaccination, and the safe trade of animals and animal products. WOAH also assists  member  nations  through  the  Performance  of  Veterinary  Services  (PVS)  Pathway,  which evaluates  and  strengthens  veterinary  infrastructure,  and  through  disease  control  initiatives  targeting transboundary animal diseases such as Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD), Peste des Petits Ruminants (PPR), and Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI). Notably, India's FMD Control Programme has received WOAH endorsement, and India's self-declaration of 32 HPAI-free poultry compartments has also  been  approved.  Furthermore,  WOAH  designates  specialized  institutions  as  WOAH  Reference Laboratories, with India hosting such laboratories for HPAI, Rabies, Leptospirosis, PPR, and Equine Piroplasmosis.

(c)  and  (d)  WOAH's  standards  significantly  contribute  to  livelihood  security  by  ensuring  that livestock  products  meet  international  quality  benchmarks, maintain  disease-free  status,  thereby boosting exports and supporting the farmers dependent on livestock for their income. The TAHC also facilitates  trade  by  establishing  veterinary  health  certification  standards  for  livestock  and  livestock products, further enhancing market access and economic opportunities for livestock producers.

- (e)  WOAH membership does not provide any financial incentives or subsidies for private companies.

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