MALF Works With USDA and IICA To Formulate Strategies For Addressing African Swine Fever

November 8, 2024:-  Chaguanas, Trinidad and Tobago – The Ministry of Agriculture, Land and Fisheries (MALF), alongside partners from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA), is currently conducting critical farm visits to pig farms across Trinidad and Tobago this week to collect samples as part of its African Swine Fever (ASF) preparedness and surveillance plan. This proactive effort underscores the Ministry’s commitment to protecting the country’s pork industry and ensuring food security.

With ASF threatening swine industries in the Caribbean, these visits aim to detect any early signs of the disease, which could have severe implications for food security and local livelihoods. At the opening of the training workshop which marked the beginning of the week’s activities, Senator the Honourable Avinash Singh, Minister in the Ministry of Agriculture, Land and Fisheries, emphasized, “Our strategic response to threats like African Swine Fever is rooted in measures that prioritize food security, farmer livelihoods, and economic stability.”

The Veterinarians and Animal health staff of the Ministry’s Animal Production and Health (APH) Division will not only be conducting surveillance activities across various local farms this week for ASF but will be continuing their surveillance efforts for Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome (PRRS). The data and samples collected will support early detection efforts and strengthen Trinidad and Tobago’s readiness against ASF and continue efforts to detect PRRS, ensuring that the nation’s pork supply chain remains secure and resilient.

This initiative highlights the Government’s leadership in safeguarding agriculture and the importance of international cooperation in addressing potential biosecurity threats. The Ministry encourages the public to stay informed and supportive of biosecurity measures, which are crucial for protecting the nation’s food resources.

For further updates on this project and its impact on the local agriculture sector, follow the Ministry’s social media channels or website agriculture.gov.tt.

 

 

 

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