THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The third phase of the across-the-State vaccination programme to prevent Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) in cattle wil begin on August 7.

Animal Husbandry Ministry C. Divakaran told a news conference here on Saturday that the vaccination programme would cover around 27 lakh cattle.

The `Goraksha' scheme, being implemented at the national level, was intended to eradicate Foot and Mouth Disease and would involve 2,519 volunteers in the State, he said.

Mr. Divakaran said the first two stages of the vaccination programme had resulted in a steep fall in the incidence of FMD among cattle and rise in milk production. The vaccination scheme was introduced on a pilot basis in three southern districts in Kerala 2001-'02 and extended to all the 14 districts from October 2004.

The third stage of vaccination would be carried out at an estimated cost of Rs.1.25 crores, he said.

The Government proposed to depute teams from the Animal Husbandry Department, comprising veterinary doctors, at check posts to prevent entry of cattle with infection into the State, he said.

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