The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) said that India is losing a whopping 18,000 crore rupees annually due to the dreaded foot and mouth disease, FMD, in cattle and livestock. This was stated by the ICAR Deputy Director General, Animal Sciences, K M L Pathak. He was briefing reporters in New Delhi on Wednesday.

He said this is according to the latest research conducted by ICAR on FMD in livestock. Mr. Pathak pointed out that the losses are because of lesser milk production due to FMD in animals and the meat of the infected animals is not good for consumption.

He said, there is ban on export of livestock products of animals infected with FMD. Mr. Pathak said, after Rinderpest, FMD is the next challenge for scientists in the country.

FMD is a highly contagious disease of cloven footed animals, including cattle, sheep, goat and pigs. Department of Animal Husbandry, Dairying and Fisheries Secretary Rudra Gangadharan was also present in the meeting.