Bangladesh needs stronger coordination between government and private sector players to safeguard animal health and nutrition security, Fisheries and Livestock Adviser Farida Akhter said Thursday, warning that government efforts alone are insufficient to meet the country’s food and nutrition needs.

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Praising entrepreneurs in the sector, Farida said they are not only investing but also taking proactive initiatives to advance the livestock sector.

“Ensuring human health is not possible by ignoring animal health,” she said, adding that whether fish, livestock or poultry, the fundamental condition for producing animal protein is ensuring the health of the animals concerned.

Highlighting the importance of the “One Health” concept, the adviser said, “Sustainable health security can only be ensured through the integrated well-being of humans, animals and the environment.”

She also cautioned against focusing solely on animal fattening, stressing the need to ensure that animal feed is safe and nutritious. “The sources and quality of raw materials used in animal and fish feed must be closely monitored.”

Farida underscored the need for stronger coordination among the agriculture, livestock and fisheries sectors, noting that integrated planning is required to reduce import dependence by producing feed ingredients such as maize and soybean domestically.

Referring to policy gaps, she said that despite the sector’s significant contribution to animal health and nutrition, the absence of specific policies governing veterinary drug production and imports has limited progress.

Existing laws, she added, are insufficient to meet sectoral needs, assuring that necessary reforms will be undertaken on a priority basis.

Speaking at the event, Fisheries and Livestock Ministry Secretary Abu Tahir Muhammed Zaber said initiatives taken by entrepreneurs to protect animal health are critically important, as safeguarding animal health directly contributes to human health protection.

“Many countries have separate drug laws and authorities for animal and human health. In Bangladesh, work is underway to formulate a separate law for animal health,” he said, adding that a draft has already been prepared and will be placed swiftly for approval as an ordinance during the tenure of the current government.

This year’s expo features participation from 14 countries, with 128 foreign stalls and 65 international exhibitors.