Empowered Committee for Animal Health (ECAH): Role and Significance

Introduction

Animal health governance is important for livestock productivity, food security, public health, and international agricultural trade. The Empowered Committee for Animal Health (ECAH) is associated with institutional coordination and decision-making concerning animal health matters in India.

Importance of animal health governance

  • Prevents and controls infectious animal diseases.

  • Supports disease surveillance and early warning.

  • Helps coordinate veterinary services and disease-control measures.

  • Protects livestock farmers' incomes.

  • Supports safe trade in animals and animal products.

  • Contributes to the One Health approach, recognising the links between human, animal, and environmental health.

Major areas relevant to animal health

Disease surveillance: Monitoring diseases such as foot-and-mouth disease, avian influenza, and lumpy skin disease.

Veterinary infrastructure: Strengthening diagnostic laboratories, vaccination networks, and veterinary services.

Biosecurity: Preventing the introduction and spread of pathogens through appropriate farm management, movement controls, and hygiene.

International standards: Animal health measures are relevant to the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) and international trade rules.

UPSC Prelims Key Pointers

  • Animal disease control is important for both agriculture and public health.

  • The Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying functions under the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying.

  • WOAH is an international organisation concerned with animal health and welfare standards.

  • The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) is a specialised agency of the United Nations.

  • The One Health approach connects human health, animal health, and ecosystems.

  • The precise current composition, legal mandate, and latest decisions of any specifically constituted ECAH should be verified against the relevant official notification before memorising membership details.