International livestock expo opens in Hanoi

Hanoi (VNA) - More than 200 businesses from 32 countries and territories
are attending the International Feed and Livestock Industry Expo (VIETSTOCK
III) in Hanoi , which opened its doors on Nov. 25.

Speaking at the opening ceremony of the event, Deputy Minister of
Agriculture and Rural Development Vu Van Tam said that the event will
provide a host of opportunities for domestic and foreign businesses to
demonstrate their scientific and technical capabilities and to unveil
state-of-the-art technology for use in the livestock industry.

It will also offer a chance for Vietnamese enterprises to learn from
foreign companies' experience in livestock breeding.

Vietnam is a rapidly developing nation in the southeast Asian region,
and its demand for meat products is steadily increasing. The country's
livestock breeding sector is increasing by 8-9 percent each year. Vietnam
's meat production has increased from 1.83 million tonnes in 2003 to 3.13
million tonnes in 2007 or from 23.6 kg to 36.75 kg of meat per person per
year.

The nation's production of animal feed for the livestock industry has also
increased, from 2.7 million tonnes in 2000 to 7.7 million tonnes in 2007.

An awards ceremony was held during the event to honour 27 Vietnamese and
foreign individuals and businesses who have made significant contributions
to Vietnam 's livestock industry over the past three years.

Seminars focusing on feed and the livestock industry will also be held
during VIETSTOCK III, which will run until Nov. 27.-Enditem