A.Rafay
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KARACHI: Australian sheep exported to Pakistan by Wellard have been declared healthy and disease-free by The Pirbright Institute, one of the worlds foremost research institutes for infectious diseases in farm animals.
One hundred two blood samples drawn from the sheep by an independent committee appointed by the Sindh High Court in Pakistan and tested at the world-renowned Pirbright Institute reference laboratory in England, proved the sheep were free of infectious diseases and posed no threat to human or animal health in Pakistan.
In his report, Dr Jef Hammond, the Pirbright Institutes Head of Vesicular Disease Reference Laboratories stated.
The samples have tested negative for the presence of antibodies to Bluetongue, PPR Virus and FMD virus. The interpretation of these results is that because no antibodies to these disease agents were found then the sheep were not infected with these diseases and there is no reason to exclude them from being processed for human consumption on these grounds subject to the usual meat inspection processes.
Managing Director Wellard Rural Exports Australia, Stephen Meerwald, said the judgment was further and final endorsement of the health of the Australian sheep. From the outset, Wellard, PK Livestock and the Australian Government have claimed the sheep to be healthy and fit for human consumption, he added.
The government sent 102 sheep samples to Pirbright Institute on 1st October which were received in England on 3rd October 2012 and tested there at the reference laboratories. Pirbright have tested them negative for the presence of antibodies to blue tongue virus, PPR virus and FMD virus.
The Pirbright report, which was requested by the Sindh High Court, validates our belief and our efforts. We refused to accept the culling process forced by the Sindh Livestock Department and abandon the sheep, and have done everything in our power to ensure their welfare was protected after we were forcibly removed from caring for them.
Wellard is a world leader in the production and distribution of livestock and grain. Its two largest subsidiaries are Wellard Rural Exports, Australias largest livestock exporter and ship owner, and Wellard Agri, a large mixed farming land owner and operator specialising in the production of grains, legumes and livestock.
Wellard Rural Exports has supplied quality dairy and cattle beef cattle and sheep and goats to the world for more than 30 years, and its investment in the live export industry was without peer. Based in Fremantle, Western Australia, the companys operations cover every aspect of the export chain, including feed milling, livestock aggregation, road transport, feedlot facilities throughout Australia and modern shipping.
Daily Times - Leading News Resource of Pakistan
One hundred two blood samples drawn from the sheep by an independent committee appointed by the Sindh High Court in Pakistan and tested at the world-renowned Pirbright Institute reference laboratory in England, proved the sheep were free of infectious diseases and posed no threat to human or animal health in Pakistan.
In his report, Dr Jef Hammond, the Pirbright Institutes Head of Vesicular Disease Reference Laboratories stated.
The samples have tested negative for the presence of antibodies to Bluetongue, PPR Virus and FMD virus. The interpretation of these results is that because no antibodies to these disease agents were found then the sheep were not infected with these diseases and there is no reason to exclude them from being processed for human consumption on these grounds subject to the usual meat inspection processes.
Managing Director Wellard Rural Exports Australia, Stephen Meerwald, said the judgment was further and final endorsement of the health of the Australian sheep. From the outset, Wellard, PK Livestock and the Australian Government have claimed the sheep to be healthy and fit for human consumption, he added.
The government sent 102 sheep samples to Pirbright Institute on 1st October which were received in England on 3rd October 2012 and tested there at the reference laboratories. Pirbright have tested them negative for the presence of antibodies to blue tongue virus, PPR virus and FMD virus.
The Pirbright report, which was requested by the Sindh High Court, validates our belief and our efforts. We refused to accept the culling process forced by the Sindh Livestock Department and abandon the sheep, and have done everything in our power to ensure their welfare was protected after we were forcibly removed from caring for them.
Wellard is a world leader in the production and distribution of livestock and grain. Its two largest subsidiaries are Wellard Rural Exports, Australias largest livestock exporter and ship owner, and Wellard Agri, a large mixed farming land owner and operator specialising in the production of grains, legumes and livestock.
Wellard Rural Exports has supplied quality dairy and cattle beef cattle and sheep and goats to the world for more than 30 years, and its investment in the live export industry was without peer. Based in Fremantle, Western Australia, the companys operations cover every aspect of the export chain, including feed milling, livestock aggregation, road transport, feedlot facilities throughout Australia and modern shipping.
Daily Times - Leading News Resource of Pakistan
