Disease surveillance and veterinary services are being prioritised as Guyana ramps up its efforts to produce high quality livestock and improve regional food security.
Agriculture minister Zulfikar Mustapha on Monday virtually attended the 93rd General Session of the World Organisation for Animal Health. While addressing the forum in Paris, Mustapha said animal health has become a critical pillar in securing economic resilience for the Caribbean region.
“The theme of this year’s general session, ‘Investing in Animal Health to Secure Everyone’s Future,’ captures the essence of what our nations must do: treat animal health as a strategic investment for stability, prosperity, and sustainability,” Mustapha said.
He said strong veterinary services are essential in preventing the spread of transboundary diseases and play a major role in pandemic prevention through the One Health approach, which links human, animal and environmental health.
He added that Caribbean countries are now intensifying efforts to modernise animal health systems and improve preparedness for future disease outbreaks.
“Guided by the last COTED-Agriculture, we are working to enhance animal health policies, accelerate our pandemic preparedness, while also strengthening the region’s biosecurity and laboratory framework to mitigate and, whenever possible, reduce the spread of diseases of economic importance and zoonoses in our region,” the minister said.
The minister said Guyana has made significant investments in expanding its animal health capacity, including the installation of new PCR systems to improve molecular diagnostics and the strengthening of laboratory networks across the country.
He also highlighted ongoing bilateral partnerships aimed at advancing applied research and vaccine development.
“Our traceability system now integrates digital data management, positioning Guyana as a regional reference point for modern, evidence-based animal health governance,” he said.
The minister said reforms under the Animal Health (Amendment) Act 2023 strengthen enforcement mechanisms and introduces fixed penalties. Mustapha said these reforms are intended to ensure greater efficiency, transparency and accountability in keeping with international standards.
He also said the sectors depend on robust animal health systems such as disease surveillance, biosecurity, and veterinary capacity to ensure safe trade and sustainable growth.
The minister further said Guyana supports all efforts for increased investment in vaccine research, sustainable financing, digital surveillance systems and the development of a new generation of veterinary professionals.
“Guyana lends its voice to the call to elevate animal health within national policy agendas, strengthen sustainable financing and preventive measures, including vaccine research and deployment, accelerate digital transformation in surveillance and diagnostics, and invest in youth and innovation to build the next generation of veterinary professionals,” Mustapha said.
The post Guyana strengthening disease surveillance, veterinary systems to secure livestock sector appeared first on News Room Guyana.
