EU grants US $1.7 million for food and livestock

The European Commission in Islamabad confirmed to IRIN on Tuesday the executive arm of the European Union, the European Commission, has approved a new grant under its food security programme for US $1.7 million to Pakistan. The grant aims to help develop a national control system for livestock contagious diseases, mainly rinderpest and foot and mouth diseases, thereby contributing to improved food security for those involved in the livestock farming sector (producers, service providers and consumers), as well as the eradication of contagious diseases amongst livestock in the country. The project will be implemented by the UN food and agriculture organisation (FAO) in close collaboration with Pakistani authorities over a period of three years.