Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries Strengthens National Preparedness Through Tabletop Simulation Exercise

July 29, 2026:-  The Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries (MAF), in collaboration with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the Division of Food Security of the Tobago House of Assembly (THA), has successfully concluded the Trinidad component of a comprehensive Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) Simulation Exercise, significantly strengthening the country’s capacity to prevent, detect and respond to transboundary animal disease outbreaks.

The exercise was conducted under the FAO Technical Cooperation Programme TCP/TRI/4001 – Animal Disease Outbreak Response in Trinidad and Tobago and formed part of a broader national preparedness initiative aimed at enhancing coordination and emergency response capabilities across multiple sectors.

Bringing together veterinary professionals, laboratory personnel, emergency management agencies, public health officials, law enforcement, communications specialists and senior decision-makers, the simulation tested national systems through a series of practical and strategic activities. These included field response drills, laboratory simulation exercises, specialized risk and outbreak communications training, and a national tabletop exercise during which participants responded to evolving outbreak scenarios, assessed policy decisions, coordinated resource mobilization and evaluated national response capabilities under simulated emergency conditions.

Addressing participants during the tabletop exercise, Senator the Honourable Ravi Ratiram, Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, underscored the importance of investing in preparedness before a disease emergency occurs.

“Preparedness is not built during a crisis; it is built long before one emerges. Exercises such as these enable us to validate our systems, strengthen institutional coordination, identify operational gaps and ensure that Trinidad and Tobago remains equipped to respond swiftly, decisively and collaboratively to emerging animal health threats. Through continued investment in resilient veterinary services, strong partnerships and evidence-based planning, we are safeguarding our livestock sector, protecting rural livelihoods, strengthening food security and contributing to national resilience.”

Minister Ratiram further emphasized that diseases such as Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza transcend institutional boundaries and require a coordinated national response that integrates animal health, public health, environmental management, emergency services and strategic communications.

Dr Gillian Smith, FAO representative for Trinidad and Tobago (ad interim) shared the Minister’s sentiments, as she emphasised the importance of investing in preparedness today to reduce risks tomorrow. “Animal disease outbreaks can have significant impacts on livelihoods, food security, public health, and trade. We are mindful that the success or failure of crisis management and mitigation responses affects the livelihoods of farmers in a very direct way. The lessons and recommendations emerging from this exercise will contribute to stronger national resilience and more effective emergency response mechanisms.”

The simulation exercise reflects FAO’s continued technical support to Trinidad and Tobago in enhancing veterinary services, strengthening emergency preparedness and promoting resilient animal health systems that align with international standards and global best practices.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries reaffirms its commitment to working closely with national, regional and international partners to strengthen disease surveillance, emergency preparedness and coordinated response mechanisms. Through sustained collaboration and evidence-based action, the Ministry continues to safeguard the livestock and poultry sectors, protect rural livelihoods, strengthen food security and enhance national resilience.

 

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