Addressing Animal Health Issues In Caricom Member States

More than 75% of human diseases are contracted from animals. Contaminated or infected meats and other foods can affect trade. Foods may contain hazards at the point of production, or acquire hazards along the food chain from farm to table. These hazards may be chemical (drug, pesticide or other chemical residues) or biological (foood borne diseases). Caribbean countries with their striving tourist industry are very vulnerable to transboundary and endemic animal diseases that require the full intervention of veterinary resources. Interministerial and inter-sectoral collaboration and coordination are paramount in addressing the concerns. Thus public and private partmerships are needed, which involve national authorities, industry, academia and research institutions. Import and export products must comply with the guidelines and regulations of WTO/SPS, OIE, Codex Alimentarius and IPPC. Thus foods of animal origin require disease diagnostics, risk assessment and overall food safety and quality controls. Skilled and experienced personnel are needed with expertise in clinical veterinary services, animal production and herd health medicine. Of special concern are methicillinresistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), a bacterium responsible for difficult-to-treat infections. Pathogens may survive food harvesting, storage, manufacturing and preparation. This veterinary diagnostics are essential. A legal framework with standards and regulatory procedures may be beneficial with endorsement by regional forums, such as the already established CVO/CEDHO/DVPH Forum. Caribbean countries should collaborate more to promote and support the development of entities and instruments within the countries and within the Region to assist in the coordination of the different multi-sectoral actors, particularly the health and agricultural sectors.