Guyana monitoring importation of meat

Saturday, January 3, 2004

GEORGETOWN, Guyana: The government of Guyana has implemented additional monitoring mechanisms to safeguard the country from Bovine Spongiform Encepholopathy (BSE or mad cow disease).

Minister of Agriculture, Mr. Satyadeow Sawh, stated that the Ministry is working in collaboration with other agencies in monitoring the situation closely. He disclosed that surveillance at the ports of entry has been strengthened and that a temporary ban has been placed on the importation of meat and meat products from the United States.

The Minister held a meeting Friday with importers of meat and meat products to discuss the situation and find solution to the problem.

The Airport and other agencies, along with the Ministry of Health, have been alerted to the situation and the monitoring mechanisms. All passengers and luggage will be examined as part of the surveillance. The Ministry has also embarked on a public awareness campaign.

Permanent Secretary Bowen Balkarran stated that the step that are4 being taken by the Ministry are normal in such cases, since the Ministry is seeking to safeguard the nation. In 2001 there was an outbreak of the Foot and Mouth Disease along with the BSE and several measures were implemented, including increased monitoring.

He pointed out that only one animal has been affected so far in the United States and the Ministry is working to reduce the risk of contamination, more so, since Guyana is slated to export beef to the Caricom Region this year.

The Permanent Secretary said the Ministry will continue monitoring the situation and will encourage other countries to import from countries that have been certified free from the disease. He stated that the ban is not meant to be permanent and will be lifted when clearance is given from international organisations.

Minister Sawh assured that there is no reason for alarm, since the measures are precautionary. He stated that the importers pledged their full support. 

Minister Sawh assured that there is no shortage on the local market and that the ban has been placed on other countries, so Guyana will continue to import from countries including Canada and New Zealand.

The ban has been placed on products including raw and pickled meat from cows, turkeys, ducks and pigs, including tripe, and other products used for feed for pets. The quantity of imported meat and meat products varied, but is not significant. 

Minister Sawh related that the Ministry recently received a letter from the Caricom Secretariat outlining the measures it should implement to minimise the threat to the Caricom Region from the disease.

A few of the measures are:

• The country should allow for the importation of live ruminants and their meat and meat products only from countries free of BSE.

• Apply vigorous import control measures (risk analysis e.g. Canadian BSE import policies) for other animals, animal product and by-product from countries, which have confirmed BSE cases in native animals.

• Institute a surveillance system in which an internationally recognised competent laboratory examines the brain of all cattle displaying clinical signs compatible with BSE. Surveillance should primarily be focused on cattle over 24 months of age and should include the examination of any sub-population of higher risk animals.

• Provide for an on-going education programme for veterinarians, farmers and workers involved in transportation, marketing and slaughter of cattle to enhance reporting of all cases of neurological disease in adult cattle. 

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