A modern veterinary laboratory will be built at Mon Repos along with a new abattoir valued US$1M, as part of government’s efforts to enhance detection and response to diseases that can affect the livestock sector.
Minister of Agriculture Robert Persaud made this announcement during a breeding animal distribution exercise held at National Agricultural Research Institute (NARI) on Saturday, a Government Information Agency (GINA) press release said. “The state-of-the-art veterinary lab will help to restore the entire Mon Repos stretch here as the epicentre of agriculture research and to ensure that adequate service to our farmers continues,” he said. The lab will also allow for the certification for export; as Guyana hopes to become a major exporter of meat products. Persaud noted that works have been moving apace to develop the country’s animal health system to meet international standards. The project has already seen a consultancy submitting its first report on recommendations and steps to be implemented.
As part of the agriculture diversification programme emphasis is also being placed on genetics and improving the breeds in the livestock sector. Government is also cognisant of the high importation cost of animals and therefore, with support from the British Government, breeding embryos were developed. “We were able to create a large number of Texana Rams which was then followed by artificial insemination and so there is much more we will be doing in this area,” he said.
As regard the slaughtering facility, Persaud said he was disappointed over the way the Georgetown abattoir is operated. He said US$1M will be invested in building a new facility. “The location we have identified is between Regions 4 and 5 because if we are to export buyers would want to come and inspect the facility and so we need to have these facilities certified.”
