SUNDAY 8 APRIL, 2018 – UWI TODAY
11
The current Minister of Agriculture
, Clarence Rambharat,
has inherited this unpleasant state of affairs and he knows
that it has come down to making the best of a terrible
situation.
“It is widely accepted that despite its initial presence in
T&T since the 1980s and its rapid increase in the mid-1990s
little was done towards the eradication of Brucellosis. I amat
pains to differentiate between the eradication of Brucellosis
and the eradication of Brucellosis-positive animals. One
will lead to the other, but this is in no way a destruction
of the genetic material or an abandonment of livestock
development. On the contrary, tackling Brucellosis frontally
is a mandatory part of developing the sector,” he said in an
email exchange.
He said that a PAHO/WHO Report on Brucellosis in
Trinidad and Tobago, dated April 30, 2013, had inputs from
a team at the Ministry of Agriculture, which included the
Permanent Secretary, the Chief Technical Officer, the lead
of the Livestock Division and the Chief Veterinary Officer,
and that representatives of the Ministry of Health and the
Livestock Board also participated.
He said that the Mora Valley herd “is the highest
contributor of Brucellosis numbers in Trinidad,”
(Estimates are that the herd numbers less than a
thousand head, but it is difficult to verify because even
perimeter fencing has been compromised.)
TheMinister identified five items as the “key takeaways”
from the Report:
1. Health and Agriculture need to work together.
2. Isolate and slaughter the positive animals at Mora
Valley and Sugarcane Feed Centre.
3. Identify and preserve animals for future breeding.
4. Develop a coordinated plan and involve Nestle. This
should include surveillance.
5. Review the law.
Entrance to Mora Valley Estate. Minister of Agriculture, Clarence
Rambharat says “the Ministry will cull the herd while at the same time
preserving the Brucellosis-free genetic material we have at Aripo.”
AGrim Inheritance
preparation. This is supported by IICA.
• I have met with Nestle on several occasions. Nestle
brought in dairy experts from Brazil. We have agreed
on a project to identify and develop model dairy
farms using existing farmers and farms; a working
committee has been agreed on and this is close to
finalization.
• Mora Valley is doing the culling – not complete or
accelerated eradication.
• Dr. Knights is working on identifying the best genetic
material for the purpose of preservation and long
term breeding.”
When I asked him about the State’s plan, he said he has
articulated the position several times.
“We cannot develop Buffalypso without addressing
the high level of Brucellosis positives in the largest herd
[at Mora Valley]. So, the Ministry will cull the herd while
at the same time preserving the Brucellosis-free genetic
material we have at Aripo. At the same time we will shift
our attention to using one of the farms – no decision yet
on which one – to expand the number of Brucellosis-free
animals we have available. Any further policy decision will
be dependent on the interest of private farmers in Buffalypso
for their own herds.”
He also explained that, “From a policy perspective
the genetic material is important to the country and this
is being addressed. At the same time, for the long-term
development of Buffalypso, we have to reduce the number
of Brucellosis-positive animals in accordance with expert
advice and develop Brucellosis-free herds.”
It is not a new plan, but what will make the difference
is the will to implement it.
Few are hopeful. They’ve heard it too many times
before.
He also identified the steps he had taken since he
assumed office in 2015.
• “Taken a policy decision in July 2016 to implement
the PAHA/WHO recommendations.
• Engaged Dr. Marlon Knights to conduct a
comprehensive livestock sector review, including a
review of Brucellosis and the impact on the genetic
material.
• Formally took a leadership role on Food Safety and
the working relationship between [the Ministries of]
Health and Agriculture. Presented the Minister of
Health with Terms of Reference for our Ministries to
collaborate closely. This has gone well, and a National
Food Safety Policy and the supporting manuals are
at an advanced stage of drafting after technical work
and public consultations. This is supported by PAHO
and FAO.
• Commissioned work on animal health legislation;
participated in reviews of draft; participated in
consultations; that draft is at an advanced stage of
The Culling Fields: Some of the
herd at the Mora Valley Estate.
PHOTOS: NANDITA RASTOGI
Buffalypso’s Last Stand
SPECIAL REPORT
BY VANEISA BAKSH
