'Less fat' pig breed developed

Chennai, Nov 4 (UNI) The Tamil Nadu Veterinary and Animal Sciences University (TANUVAS) has successfully bred a new hybrid pig variety with less fat content and quality pork.

University's newly appointed Vice-Chancellor Dr P Thangaraju said here that the off-springs were about three months old. The distribution of brood stock would commence by January 2008.

Referring to the successful breeding of the ostrich at the livestock research station at suburban Kattupakkam, he said at present the brooding stock was less than 100. Once there were more offsprings they would be sold to farmers.

Dr Thangaraju also announced that a disease diagnostic laboratory would be set up in southern parts of State to effectively control diseases in sheep and goats.

A National Centre for Canine Research would also be established for conserving the native canine breeds.

A southern regional bio-security lab would be set up to serve the poultry industry on emerging diseases like bird flu. To prevent loss of precious native birds, an avian germplasm conservation centre would be set up at the Poultry Research Station in the city.

Paper works were on for all these new projects and they would be implemented in co-ordination with the Union and State governments, he said.

The Veterinary Hospital of the Madras Veterinary College would be upgraded into a national reference centre in clinical services.

The University would also take steps to create a centre for excellence in veterinary pathobiology, and vaccinology, animal genetics and breeding, the Vice-Chancellor added.

UNI