India has joined a global network of scientific research on measures to be better protected against animal diseases like avian flu and foot and mouth, that adversely hit the economy of several countries and affect millions of people directly or indirectly.
The network, led by Britain's Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), is backed by €1 million funding by the European Union.
Experts say that increasingly globalised movements of animals, people and food have raised the risk of animal diseases spreading to the UK, which could have serious economic, environmental and health consequences.
The network of thousands of scientists across the world will allow them to exchange research, establish common goals and collaborate on developing future controls.
It will also underpin early warning systems by identifying what emerging diseases are being picked up abroad.
Britain's Agriculture and Food Minister Mr Jim Paice said, “In this modern age of globalised trade and travel the risk of animal disease entering the UK is greater than ever.
Countries acting on their own just don't have the resources to research every disease, all of the time, so sharing resources like this will get us maximum protection and value for money.”
The network includes Canada, the US, Mexico, Argentina, Brazil, China, India, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, Russia, Italy, Germany, France, Spain, Denmark and the UK.