Dear Editor,
There are many places that you can go in the Rupununi and will see signs advertising that the region is free of the Foot and Mouth Disease. One would assume that since the Rupununi has been declared free of this animal disease that it would be easy for live animals to be sold anywhere in Guyana. But this is not the case. The movement of live animals is still prohibited.
This policy has had a detrimental effect on local farmers who are interested in selling live animals to businessmen on the coast, especially sheep. There has been a lot of interest in purchasing mutton from the Rupununi, because of its quality and cheap cost. However, the Georgetown businessmen prefer to transport the animals alive since it reduces the transportation costs and also allows the meat to be sold ‘fresh.’
Because of the ban on movement of live animals from the Rupununi the mutton industry has not been able to develop, even though there is enormous potential.
The question being asked by many farmers is why the Rupununi region is still being treated as a quarantined area, if the health officials have declared otherwise? Such a stance is hindering the development of a viable mutton industry.
It would be most beneficial if a representative from the responsible government agency can have a meeting with the Rupununi farmers to enlighten them on the situation regarding Foot and Mouth Disease in the region.
It is also very heartening to note that Brazil has also been declared free of the Foot and Mouth Disease (KN, 28.5.08). In this era when our government is encouraging local production to ease the high cost of living, the ban imposed on the Rupununi region of the movement of live animals needs to be reviewed so that the local mutton industry can develop.
Yours faithfully,
M. Emile
