Lukashenko demanded to establish strict control over compliance with regulations and standards for feeding livestock and poultry
During today’s meeting on rural development and improving the agricultural sector efficiency, President of Belarus Aleksandr Lukashenko demanded to establish strict control countrywide over the work carried out locally to comply with regulations and standards for feeding livestock and poultry
Speaking of mortality in animal husbandry, the Head of State noted, “The responsible persons sometimes do not know where their objects are located, while local authorities and farm heads, instead of ensuring control over discipline, sometimes contribute to its violation. There is no strict control by the state veterinary service.”
The President commented: more than 10 thousand officials are brought to various types of responsibility for such offences annually, criminal cases are initiated, and a third of them are related to the cover-up of cattle losses.
As noted by the Belarusian leader, there are also serious problems related to the cow herds’ reproductive performance. “Unbalanced feeding of cows and heifers results in the birth of weak, physiologically immature, non-viable calves. Effective reproduction envisages at least 95 calves per 100 cows at birth. A solid food supply and a full-fledged diet are the key to profitable reproductive performance,” he said.
Aleksandr Lukashenko added that scientists, together with the Agriculture and Food Ministry, annually report on the existing developments of feeding regulations for all types of livestock, “They express their willingness to provide assistance in the scientific support of technologies. About a hundred technological regulations and recommendations have been developed by scientists, so take use of them! I demand the Government, the Agriculture and Food Ministry, the Academy of Sciences, regional and district executive committees to establish strict control over the work carried out locally in relation to its compliance with the regulations and standards for feeding livestock and poultry. Special attention must be paid to the care of new-born calves.”
The Head of State urged to carry out systematic work to ensure the safety of livestock and poultry, “The standard value of non-productive losses should be up to one thousandth of a percent instead of the three percent you have outlined. You must ensure unconditional observance of technological and labour discipline at every workplace (and these refers equally to cattle-farm workers and managers), as well as high-quality work of veterinary and zootechnical services.”
