Thursday, September 25, 2008

Myanmar steps up control of trans-border animal diseases

Myanmar is making arrangements to establish more animal quarantine laboratories in two areas bordering Thailand as part of its bid to step up control of trans-border animal diseases under the two countries' cooperation program in the aspects, the local 7-Day News reported Thursday.

The two border areas are Myawaddy and Kawthoung in southeastern Kayin state.

The Myanmar side is to offer building and health workers, while the Thai side is to provide technical knowhow and materials, the report said, adding that a Thai delegation from the Animal Development made a study trip to Myanmar last week as a preparatory move.

Myanmar has been placing emphasis on control of trans-border animal diseases, introducing animal quarantine laboratories in border trading areas with neighboring countries.

Under an agreement between the Livestock Breeding Veterinary Department of Myanmar and the Agriculture Department of China's Yunnan Province reached in 2006, animal quarantine labs inareas such as Muse, Lashio, Kengtung and Myitkyina, where border trade activities are carried out, are being built.

These labs will help transfer information speedily and test thesafety of live animals and animal byproducts intended for export and import through border trade, experts said.

In December 2007, under an agreement signed between the LBVD and the Japan International Cooperation Agency , the latter will provide aid worth of 102 million Japanese yen to Myanmar to help the country fight five animal diseases including avian influenza by setting up laboratories, exchanging information and conducting refresher courses for the diseases control, according to an earlier report.

Source: Xinhua

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