REPORTS of illegal importation of some meat and meat products have reached the Ministry of Agriculture, which is working on cracking down on such activities.

According to the Ministry in a statement, any illegal importation of these products threatens Guyana’s food security, as well as investment made in the livestock sector; threats that will not be tolerated by the Government of Guyana.
To this end, the Ministry of Agriculture, in collaboration with the Ministry of Trade, has announced that it will be strengthening its surveillance to protect Guyana’s livestock.
Both Ministries have also emphasised the need for importers to adhere to applicable laws, regulations and procedures regarding importation of meat and meat products.
“Any meat and meat product found on the market without the requisite approval will be seized and destroyed. This serves as a warning to all those who are marketing meat and meat products as illegal importation of animals and animal products into Guyana constitutes a breach of the Animal Health Act 2011 which requires that all animal and animal product be granted permission to enter through a set procedure,” a statement from the Ministry of Agriculture said.
The procedure for importation of animal products requires the prospective importer to apply for a trade import licence from the Ministry of Trade. The Guyana Livestock Development Authority through the provision of the law is required to give its no objection to the import which is based on the prevailing animal health situation of the importing country.

THREAT TO LOCAL LIVESTOK

Illegal entry of any animal product from an animal health perspective poses a threat to Guyana’s livestock industry. Such a product could provide a vehicle for the transference of disease-causing agents from the importing country into Guyana.
A disease could have the following effects:
* Reduction of the livestock population as a result of death;
* Reduction in livestock productivity through sickness;
* Reduction in the availability of the specific meat product with the resulting decrease in available protein for human consumption;
* There would be a need to spend huge sums of money in combating the disease;
* Loss of trade opportunities due to the imposition on restriction in trade of animal products both locally and internationally, through the banning of imports from Guyana;
* In some cases there may be public health implications if the disease affects humans; and
* In such cases there are huge setbacks in the genetic improvement programme of the country.
“Import certification and control provides the first line of defense in preventing the entry of exotic animal diseases to a country,” the Agriculture Ministry stated.
Additionally, the Ministry of Health, Public Health Department is also required to give its no objection to this import, the statement concluded.