The Guyana Livestock Development Authority (GLDA) and the Ministry of Health yesterday seized and disposed of close to 500 pounds of expired duck meat that was illegally imported from the United States.
The meat, which expired in September but was imported in November 2019, was confiscated at Wieting and Richter Ice Factory and Cold Storage warehouse at Water Street, Georgetown.
The identity of the importer of the 483 pounds of Culver Duck Farm meat was not revealed.
Dr. Ozaye Dodson, Director of Veterinary and Public Health at the ministry, said the GLDA was not aware of the products being imported into the country and being sold in supermarkets. “We are here to carry out that activity and we are hoping that it will actually allow the country to know that we have their safety at heart, when it comes to items not produced locally,” Dr Dodson said.
Dr Dodson said that the activity was being done in accordance with the Animal Health Act and the Public Health Ordinance.
GLDA’s Deputy Chief Executive Officer Dr Dwight Walrond told reporters that given the shortage of duck meat on the market last year, due to the high mortality among ducks, temporary permission was granted to one local importer to bring in ducks to meet demands. “We never issued a permit to that chain or for them to import duck meat,” Walrond stressed. “We have a population who depends on us to protect them and we have to do whatever it takes to ensure that the population’s health is protected, and we will do that without any fear or favour,” Walrond added as he explained that the importer of the meat was not permitted.
“What we have embarked on is an exercise whereby we visit each supermarket, especially the larger chain supermarkets, because they would see an influx of increased traffic during this Christmas season. So we want to make sure that what our consumers are buying is wholesome and fit for human conception,” Dr Grayson Halley Chief Exe-cutive Officer at GLDA underscored.
Meanwhile, Walrond said that the importer can be fined and faces penalties for breaching the regulations. He noted that their legal team will have to review the case and determine what penalties will be imposed.
