Azerbaijan, Baku / Тrend corr I. Ali-zade / Livestock breeding should be developed in Azerbaijan to provide food security, the chairman of the Azerbaijani parliamentary commission on agrarian policy MP Eldar Ibrahimov said at the discussions over the draft law on livestock breeding on 31 October.
Azerbaijani Agriculture Ministry's new draft law on livestock breeding defines juridical and economic basis for organization and management of livestock breeding.
The purpose of the draft law is to increase both cattle production and breeding of pedigree livestock with stable hereditary features. The draft law envisages juridical basis for protection of local cattle species, scanty animals, and intensive development of cattle breeding, as well as trainings for agricultural specialists.
The law on livestock breeding was passed in 1996 and it does not correspond with today's requirements, therefore, the new draft law was designed, the participants in the meeting said.
According to Ibrahimov, in 1996 to 2006, livestock breeding increase in Azerbaijan made up 6.1% and the index is too low. Some 22kg of meat and 122kg of milk per capita was produced in 2006. According to statistics, in 2006 Azerbaijan produced 1.3 tons of milk and the demand was 3.3mln tons.
There are 22 state livestock breeding economies in Azerbaijan. "In order to meet the demand meat and dairy products are imported, and that leads to mixing of products and decrease in their quality. Given the demand, State control is important to be intensified," Ibrahimov said.
The funds intended for agriculture are expected to be increased to AZN 7mln in the public budget for 2008 compared to 2007, he said.
According to Azerbaijani Deputy Minister for Agriculture Bahram Aliyev, the Ministry developed a conception on livestock breeding development. It was approved of by 10 international organizations.
The draft law on livestock breeding will be submitted to the Parliament for consideration after improving.