Jamaica’s State Minister for Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries – Floyd Green – says Jamaica has an integrated plan in place to ensure the country’s preparedness for any outbreak of exotic animal diseases and threats.
Green said that the plan, which is managed by the National Emergency Animal Disease Committee, is in accordance with Jamaica’s Animals (disease and importation) Law, and consistent with the guidelines of the World Organization for Animal Health.
The role of the committee is to promulgate policies and coordinate inputs of different government ministries and other agencies in the prevention, control and eradication of foreign animal diseases.
He was speaking at the opening ceremony for the 25th Seminar on Harmonisation of Registration and Control of Veterinary Medicines at the Royalton White Sands hotel in Falmouth, Trelawny on Monday.
The one-week conference, organized by the Americas Committee on Veterinary Medicines, aims to facilitate the harmonisation of standards, registries and controls of veterinary drugs among its member countries.
Green, during his address, called for major players in the veterinary medical profession and stakeholders in the livestock subsector, including producers, importers and distributors, to recognise the importance of detecting and managing animal diseases.
