DUSHANBE, September 3, 2008, Asia-Plus  - Prime Minister Oqil Oqilov received visiting President Regional Commission for Europe of International Epizootic Bureau Mr. Nicola Belev on September 2.

According to the Ministry of Agriculture (MoA), the two considered issues related to cooperation in enhancing work of veterinary services in Tajikistan. 

During the meeting it was noted that the number of sickness rate among livestock and poultry is one of the most acute problems facing world’s agrarian sector.   

According to the International Epizootic Bureau, annual losses in the sector amount to more than 200 billion US dollars. 

In the course of the talks, Tajik prime minister briefed on the present state of the agrarian sector in Tajikistan.  According to him, a share of livestock produce accounts for 32 percent in the overall volume of Tajikistan’s agricultural goods and this figure is increasing.

For his part, Mr. Belev noted that the International Epizootic Bureau could assist Tajikistan with vetting professionalism of its veterinary workers. 

The same day, President Regional Commission for Europe of International Epizootic Bureau held talks with Minister of Agriculture Qosim Qosimov.       

Tajikistan joined the International Epizootic Bureau in 1993.