– during courtesy call with IICA-USDA delegation

MINISTER of Agriculture, Zulfikar Mustapha, recently met with a joint delegation from the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA) and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) to discuss the outcomes of a technical session on the African Swine Fever (ASF) Surveillance and Response Capacity Building Project for the Caribbean and Central America.

During the courtesy call, Minister Mustapha emphasised the importance of sustained surveillance efforts, noting that although Guyana has never recorded a case of ASF, continued vigilance is vital. He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to strengthening its veterinary and disease surveillance systems in accordance with international standards to safeguard the country’s livestock sector.

The Minister also provided updates on Guyana’s ongoing investment in its pork industry, highlighting the near completion of a modern swine abattoir. The facility, once commissioned, is expected to significantly enhance biosecurity measures, improve meat quality control, and position Guyana as a regional leader in pork production and exports.

“This abattoir is a strategic investment to modernise our pork industry and ensure that we meet the highest standards in food safety and animal health,” Minister Mustapha stated.
The courtesy visit and discussion come at a time when regional collaboration remains crucial in preventing the spread of transboundary animal diseases and building resilience within the agricultural sector.