Empowered Committee for Animal Health Reviews Advancements Made in India’s Animal Health Sector

The 8th meeting of the Empowered Committee for Animal Health (ECAH) of the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying (DAHD) was held on October 28, 2024, under the chairmanship of Prof. Ajay Kumar Sood, Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India, and vice-chaired by Mrs. Alka Upadhyaya, Secretary, DAHD, at Vigyan Bhawan. The representatives of Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO), Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), Department of Biotechnology (DBT) etc. were present as a member to discuss advancements in India’s animal health sector. During the meeting, the department highlighted the efforts and the achievements made so far in regulatory streamlining of animal drugs, vaccines, biologicals, and feed additives. The department also reported significant progress made in various on-going vaccination programs for livestock diseases such as Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD), Brucellosis, Peste des Petits Ruminants (PPR), and Classical Swine Fever (CSF) that is receiving 100% central funding under the Livestock Health & Disease Control Program (LH&DCP). Notably, all these vaccines are developed indigenously and manufactured domestically, demonstrating India's commitment to self-sufficiency and global cooperation in animal health. Furthermore, the Principal Scientific Advisor was also briefed about the progress made on the National Digital Livestock Mission (NDLM), that aims to digitally identify and register all livestock and animal husbandry activities, including vaccination, breeding, and treatment in the country. The digital platform is currently handling over 16 transactions every second, showcasing the program's extensive reach and efficiency. Under the One Health Mission, the department will soon conduct a mock drill focused on animal disease response to improve operational readiness for disease management. Prof. Ajay Kumar Sood also lauded the launch of the $25 million G -20 Pandemic Fund Project recently along with The Standard Veterinary Treatment Guidelines (SVTG) and the Crisis Management Plan (CMP) for Animal Diseases. The Pandemic Fund Project aims to fortify laboratory capacities, enhanced disease surveillance and strengthen human resource to bolster resilience in animal health systems in the country.  The ECAH also deliberated upon the recently released Poultry Disease Action Plan that lays emphasis on proactive disease management through biosecurity measures, enhanced surveillance, and vaccination protocols, thereby safeguarding both poultry population and public health in India. In response to the High Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) outbreaks in Kerala in the past, the department has developed a comprehensive strategy to control and contain the disease spread, preventing significant public health hazards. It was informed, during the meeting that Compensation rates for forced culling of poultry  were revised and communicated to all states and UTs during the month of September by the department. It was also highlighted that World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) has recently recognized ICAR-NIVEDI, Bangalore for PPR and Leptospirosis as WOAH Reference Laboratories in India. Previously, ICAR-NIHSAD, Bhopal (for Avian Influenza) and KVFSU, Bangalore (for Rabies) have already been given this recognition highlighting DAHD’s continued commitment to enhancing animal health. Empowered Committee on Animal Health Established in 2021, ECAH serves as DAHD's think tank, providing evidence-based insights and policy recommendations on national health programs, emerging disease threats, One Health initiatives, and regulatory frameworks for veterinary vaccines, drugs, and biological. **** AA The 8th meeting of the Empowered Committee for Animal Health (ECAH) of the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying (DAHD) was held on October 28, 2024, under the chairmanship of Prof. Ajay Kumar Sood, Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India, and vice-chaired by Mrs. Alka Upadhyaya, Secretary, DAHD, at Vigyan Bhawan. The representatives of Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO), Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), Department of Biotechnology (DBT) etc. were present as a member to discuss advancements in India’s animal health sector. During the meeting, the department highlighted the efforts and the achievements made so far in regulatory streamlining of animal drugs, vaccines, biologicals, and feed additives. The department also reported significant progress made in various on-going vaccination programs for livestock diseases such as Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD), Brucellosis, Peste des Petits Ruminants (PPR), and Classical Swine Fever (CSF) that is receiving 100% central funding under the Livestock Health & Disease Control Program (LH&DCP). Notably, all these vaccines are developed indigenously and manufactured domestically, demonstrating India's commitment to self-sufficiency and global cooperation in animal health. Furthermore, the Principal Scientific Advisor was also briefed about the progress made on the National Digital Livestock Mission (NDLM), that aims to digitally identify and register all livestock and animal husbandry activities, including vaccination, breeding, and treatment in the country. The digital platform is currently handling over 16 transactions every second, showcasing the program's extensive reach and efficiency. Under the One Health Mission, the department will soon conduct a mock drill focused on animal disease response to improve operational readiness for disease management. Prof. Ajay Kumar Sood also lauded the launch of the $25 million G -20 Pandemic Fund Project recently along with The Standard Veterinary Treatment Guidelines (SVTG) and the Crisis Management Plan (CMP) for Animal Diseases. The Pandemic Fund Project aims to fortify laboratory capacities, enhanced disease surveillance and strengthen human resource to bolster resilience in animal health systems in the country.  The ECAH also deliberated upon the recently released Poultry Disease Action Plan that lays emphasis on proactive disease management through biosecurity measures, enhanced surveillance, and vaccination protocols, thereby safeguarding both poultry population and public health in India. In response to the High Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) outbreaks in Kerala in the past, the department has developed a comprehensive strategy to control and contain the disease spread, preventing significant public health hazards. It was informed, during the meeting that Compensation rates for forced culling of poultry  were revised and communicated to all states and UTs during the month of September by the department. It was also highlighted that World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) has recently recognized ICAR-NIVEDI, Bangalore for PPR and Leptospirosis as WOAH Reference Laboratories in India. Previously, ICAR-NIHSAD, Bhopal (for Avian Influenza) and KVFSU, Bangalore (for Rabies) have already been given this recognition highlighting DAHD’s continued commitment to enhancing animal health. Empowered Committee on Animal Health Established in 2021, ECAH serves as DAHD's think tank, providing evidence-based insights and policy recommendations on national health programs, emerging disease threats, One Health initiatives, and regulatory frameworks for veterinary vaccines, drugs, and biological. **** AA