Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries receives Veterinary Supplies from FAO to manage and mitigate animal disease outbreaks

The Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries has received a supply of specialised veterinary equipment from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) as part of a technical cooperation project called “Animal Disease Outbreak Response in Trinidad and Tobago.”

Items provided include diagnostic and laboratory supplies, disinfectants, personal protective equipment, essential consumables, and field emergency response kits, all critical to strengthening disease surveillance, improving preparedness, and enabling a faster, more effective response to animal health emergencies.

“This handover represents a strategic investment in a more resilient national animal health system; enhanced disease emergency response, surveillance, and awareness; and a more robust network that supports and engages farmers,” said Dr Gillian Smith, the FAO representative (ad interim) for Trinidad and Tobago. “These supplies will directly enhance the operational capacity of veterinary services, enabling more effective diseasemonitoring and improved response readiness, to the benefit of stakeholders across the agricultural value chain.”

Dr Smith formally presented the equipment to Senator the Honourable Ravi Ratiram, Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries at the Ministry’s headquarters in Chaguanas on Wednesday, June 24.

"As we work toward building a modern, resilient and productive agricultural sector, investments in animal health infrastructure remain a priority. Effective veterinary services and robust disease surveillance systems are essential for safeguarding livestock populations, protecting farmers' livelihoods, maintaining consumer confidence, and strengthening our food security agenda. We are grateful to the FAO for its continued partnership and support in advancing these objectives," Minister Ratiram stated.

Animal diseases can pose a significant public health risk and threaten the viability of the country’s food production sector. This project is part of a wider collaboration between the Ministry and FAO to manage and mitigate the spread of diseases among livestock, including providing critical support to farmers to recognise, report and reduce the spread of animal diseases. In July, The FAO, in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, will conduct a simulation exercise to test the readiness and capacity of animal disease management response in both Trinidad and Tobago.