KARACHI, Dec 19: One of the many causes and problems of the poultry industry is the quality of feed which requires an urgent attention by the manufacturers. This was stated by the KU pro-vice-chancellor, Prof Dr Akhlaq Ahmad.

He was speaking as chief guest at the inaugural session of a workshop on bacterial diseases of poultry and their remedies.

The week-long moot is being organized by the Institute of Environmental Studies, Biological Research Centre and the Department of Microbiology, University of Karachi.

The KU pro-vice-chancellor inaugurated the workshop. The programme is being held in view of the threat of bird flu that is spreading especially in the Far Eastern countries among the birds population and has also been responsible for many human deaths.

On the occasion, Prof Ahmed highlighted the importance of developing poultry industries in a better and hygienic way.

He stated that the poultry industry had a lot of potential in contributing towards further development of the economy.

We have to develop our own technology to check pollution, control disease producing micro-organisms and hazardous chemicals in the environmental pollution control technologies suitable for specific situation, Prof Ahmed said. He appreciated the fact that feed manufacturers were aware of their responsibility in this respect.

Highlighting the role of the Institute of Environmental Studies, Biological Research Centre and the Department of Microbiology, University of Karachi, he lauded the efforts of the heads of these centres and the faculty members in organizing such a workshop of national importance.

Dr Moazzam Ali Khan, In charge, Institute of Environmental Studies, while welcoming the chief guest, audience and the participants, spoke about the past achievements of the institute in organizing several workshops related to environment and the enormous health problems caused by the deteriorated environment.

Prof Dr Aqeel Ahmad, Director, Biological Research Centre, highlighted the aims and objects of the workshop and its national importance.

The chairperson of the Department of Microbiology, Prof Dr Nusrat Jamil, emphasized the need for such workshops and training programmes for developing human resource for poultry industry. In the technical session, three presentations were given, one related to immune system in poultry and the second to the cause of poultry vaccine failure in Pakistan.

Prof Aqeel elaborated the immunological aspects of poultry and the mechanism of disease fighting capability and resistance in poultry birds.

Dr Tariq Mahmood Chaudhry from the National Institute of Biology, Faisalabad, elaborated the causes of failure of different poultry vaccines.

He emphasized on some of the environmental factors like temperature during storage and transportation of vaccines.

Dr Zafar Siddiqui highlighted the growth of poultry industry since 1960 as a specialist industry. The industry has an important economic role in that about 240,000 people directly and indirectly depend on it for their employment, he added.

The workshop will continue till Dec 24 involving 10 technical sessions including lab work for the participants.—APP