Written by: Islam El-Saqqa
The General Syndicate of Veterinarians praised the vision presented by President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi during the Food Security session at the Egypt 2026 Forum, which focused on developing livestock and fisheries sectors and improving breeds to increase local production of meat, dairy, poultry, and fish, in addition to raising the efficiency of lakes and developing them.
The Importance of Genetic Improvement and Breed Development
The Syndicate confirmed that the trend toward replacing traditional breeds with genetically improved ones is a fundamental axis for developing animal production, as these high-productivity breeds contribute to increasing meat and dairy output while optimally using available resources of water and feed. Dr. Magdy Hassan, the General Captain of Veterinarians, pointed out that the success of these plans requires executive programs that include farms of all sizes, with the provision of technical support and veterinary guidance to breeders, especially small farmers, and facilitating access to the necessary financing to apply modern breeding methods.
Challenges of the Veterinary Medicine System and Human Needs
The Syndicate stressed that developing the veterinary medicine system represents the cornerstone for supporting the state's targets in achieving food security, warning of challenges related to the shortage of human resources and operational capabilities. Estimates indicated that the system needs about 75,000 veterinarians to cover various fields of work, in light of a deficit in the number of doctors in veterinary units and slaughterhouses, as the Syndicate estimated the human coverage available in slaughterhouses at only about 15% of the actual needs.
The Role of Veterinarians in Protecting Public Health
Dr. Magdy Hassan explained that the role of veterinarians goes beyond treating animals to include protecting public health, preventing zoonotic diseases, and ensuring the safety of food products of animal origin. He called for the need to enhance monitoring and early warning capabilities in veterinary units in rural areas, confirming that investing in veterinary personnel and developing existing units is a direct investment in the health of citizens and the sustainability of national food security.
