Fisheries and Livestock Adviser Farida Akhter. File Photo

DHAKA, Jan 8, 2026 (BSS) - Fisheries and Livestock Adviser Farida Akhter today said sustainable health security can be attained only by ensuring integrated health of humans, animals and the environment.

The adviser made the remarks while speaking at the inaugural ceremony of the '6th AHCAB International Expo 2026.

With the slogan ‘Healthy Animals, Prosperous Nation’, the Animal Health Companies Association of Bangladesh (AHCAB) arranged the three-day exhibition at the capital’s International Convention City Bashundhara (ICCB).

Speaking as the chief guest, Farida said the government cannot effectively implement food and nutrition security. 

To this end, she said, coordination between the public and private sectors is needed in animal health and nutrition security.

The fisheries adviser said, "To ensure human health, there is no scope for ignoring animal health. The main condition for producing any animal protein, be it fish, cattle or poultry, is to ensure the health of the livestock concerned."

She said it is not just about fattening the animals, but also about ensuring that the feed the animals are consuming is safe and nutritious. 

Farida said it is important to keep vigilance on where the raw materials for animal feed and fish feed come from and what their quality is.

Noting that coordination between the agriculture sector and the livestock and fisheries sectors must be further strengthened, she said, a comprehensive plan must be taken to produce animal feed ingredients, including corn and soybeans, domestically instead of depending on imports.

Despite significant contributions to the animal health and nutrition industry, the adviser mentioned the lack of specific policies in the production and import of medicines, and said the needs of the animal health sector cannot be fully met with the existing laws. 

She assured that the necessary reforms in this regard will be made on priority basis.

Fisheries and Livestock Secretary Abu Tahir Muhammed Zaber, Director General of the Department of Livestock Services Dr Md Abu Sufian and AHCAB Secretary Md Anwar Hossain were present at the event with AHCAB President Sayem ul Haque in the chair.

A total of 128 foreign stalls and 65 international exhibitors from 14 countries including China, India, Egypt, Romania, Turkey, Vietnam and Singapore, are participating in this year's expo. 

In addition, various leading companies and institutions of the country are also participating in the fair.