GUYANA is positioning itself as a regional reference point for modern, evidence-based animal health governance, driven by major investments in diagnostics, digital surveillance and strengthened legislation, Agriculture Minister, Zulfikar Mustapha, told the 93rd General Session of the World Organisation for Animal Health in Paris, France.
Addressing the session virtually on Monday, Mustapha, while delivering remarks on behalf of the Government of Guyana and the wider Caribbean Community (CARICOM), framed animal health as a strategic investment in economic resilience, pandemic preparedness and regional food security.
“The theme of this year’s 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,” he said.
Guyana, he noted, has invested heavily in animal health, with a particular focus on boosting diagnostic capacity and laboratory resilience.
The government has expanded its diagnostic capacity with new Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) systems and strengthened national laboratory networks to better detect and manage diseases of economic importance.
These investments are aimed at supporting early detection, rapid response and improved regional surveillance.
Minister Mustapha linked these upgrades directly to pandemic prevention, stressing that robust veterinary systems are now seen as frontline defences.
“We are working to enhance animal health policies, accelerate our pandemic preparedness, while also strengthening laboratory framework to mitigate and, whenever possible, reduce the spread of disease,” he explained.
DIGITAL DATA MANAGEMENT
A central plank of Guyana’s push is the digital transformation of its surveillance architecture. The country’s animal health surveillance system now integrates digital data management, enabling more timely, accurate and transparent oversight.
“Our surveillance system now integrates digital data management, positioning Guyana as a regional reference point for modern, evidence-based animal health governance,” he said.
This digital shift is intended to support real-time monitoring, quicker reporting of outbreaks and more data-driven decision-making, aligning national systems with evolving global standards for animal health.
Additionally, Guyana has also moved to overhaul its legal framework to underpin these technical reforms with amendments to the Animal Health Act, aimed at strengthening enforcement and modernising compliance mechanisms.
“This reform ensures that our veterinary services operate with efficiency, transparency and accountability, key pillars of world standards,” he added.
By tightening its legislative and institutional framework, Guyana is seeking to improve biosecurity, facilitate trade in livestock and livestock products, and build confidence among regional and international partners.
REGIONAL LEADERSHIP
Beyond its domestic reforms, Guyana is positioning itself as a regional leader on animal health and food security. The country currently leads the CARICOM ministerial task force on food production and food security, which is driving the region’s agenda to reduce its dependence on extra-regional food imports.
Within this framework, animal health is treated as a core enabler of production growth in priority sectors such as meat and poultry, as well as a foundation for safe intra-regional trade.
Mustapha pointed to wider regional efforts to harmonise standards and strengthen veterinary capacity as part of a move towards regional self-reliance.
“As a region, we are working to establish a CARICOM animal health corridor, harmonising standards and building trust to expand regional trade in livestock and livestock products,” he said.
“Regional self-reliance, animal health security and production resilience are not a matter of aspiration, but of national and regional survival,” he added.
Guyana is also calling for sustainable financing for animal health systems, including support for vaccines, preventative measures, and further digital upgrades in surveillance and diagnostics.
The Minister also urged greater investment in youth and innovation to secure the next generation of animal health professionals.
