The Caribbean Poultry Association (CPA) yesterday called on regional governments to work with the private sector to modernize intra-regional trade protocols.
In a statement to mark World Food Day today, the CPA said that as the primary supplier of animal-based protein in the region—providing close to 82% of the high-quality protein consumed by Caribbean citizens, the poultry industry stands at the vanguard of regional food security.
To deliver on its strategic long-term vision—including boosting broiler meat production across CARICOM—the release said that the CPA and its member operations are redefining Caribbean poultry systems in areas including:
- Transitioning to modern tunnel-ventilated housing systems and automated precision environmental controls to protect flocks from severe weather;
- Rigid on-farm biosecurity protocols to protect livestock from transboundary diseases while enhancing bird health and feed conversion efficiency.
- Collaborating with regional feed manufacturers to integrate data analytics and precision nutrition, optimising uses of local feed inputs to keep poultry products affordable.
With increased local grain production (such as the expanding corn and soya bean sectors in Belize and Guyana), the CPA said the Caribbean’s dependency on extra-regional imports is being curtailed.
It said that the goal of achieving food security cannot be attained by private industry or individual nations working in isolation. The CPA called upon CARICOM governments and international partner agencies to partner with the private sector to:
1. Modernise Intra-Regional Trade Protocols: Harmonize sanitary and phytosanitary frameworks to allow seamless, rapid movement of poultry products and hatching eggs across the Caribbean.
2. Strengthen Farmer Support
3. Improve access to capital: Back innovative initiatives that extend affordable financing to livestock producers and updating their infrastructure with modern tech and climate smart solutions.
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