The Ministry of Agriculture yesterday rejected claims made by Dorwain Bess, co-founder of VPAC, suggesting that approximately one million pounds of contaminated chicken may be on the local market for purchase and consumption by Guyanese.
“These claims are without supporting evidence and have the potential to create unnecessary fear among consumers and undermine public confidence in the relevant government agencies’ ability to safeguard the country’s food supply.
“There is no evidence to support claims that the chicken being imported temporarily into Guyana through the New Guyana Marketing Corporation (NGMC) is contaminated.
Guyana has established sanitary and phytosanitary(SPS) measures governing the importation of agricultural and food products. These measures are in keeping with international food safety and animal health standards and are designed to protect consumers, safeguard local agricultural production and prevent the introduction and spread of animal diseases”, the ministry said.
All poultry imported through the NGMC must satisfy the necessary sanitary, veterinary, and food-safety requirements, the ministry contended. These include certification and approval procedures in the country of origin, along with the required inspections and regulatory oversight in Guyana. The NGMC also ensures that appropriate transportation and handling measures are maintained throughout the importation and distribution process, it added.
In the case of chicken imported from Brazil, the release said that the Guyana Livestock Development Authority (GLDA) issues the necessary no-objection only after the relevant requirements have been satisfied.
“This includes consideration of the animal-health status of the exporting country and monitoring of diseases such as Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza and Newcastle disease.
“Upon arrival in Guyana, the GLDA, the Veterinary Public Health Unit, the Ministry of Health, and other relevant authorities inspect and oversee imported poultry products before clearing them for distribution”, the ministry said.
It added that the public can therefore rest assured that food safety remains a priority and that the established sanitary, phytosanitary, and veterinary requirements will not be compromised.
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