State

Minister for Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries, Floyd Green, says

Jamaica has an integrated plan in place to ensure the country’s preparedness

for any outbreak of exotic animal diseases and threats.

He said that

the plan, which is managed by the National Emergency Animal Disease Committee

(NEADCOM), is in accordance with Jamaica’s Animals (disease and importation)

Law, and consistent with the guidelines of the World Organization for Animal

Health (OIE).

The role of

NEADCOM is to promulgate policies and coordinate inputs of different government

ministries and other agencies in the prevention, control and eradication of

foreign animal diseases.

“We have

also invested in the provision of laboratory services and a traceability system

to enhance disease surveillance and monitoring, to ensure the highest levels of

compliance in good agricultural practices,” Green added.

He was

speaking at the opening ceremony for the 25th Seminar on Harmonisation of

Registration and Control of Veterinary Medicines at the Royalton White Sands

hotel in Falmouth, Trelawny, earlier this week.

The one-week

conference, organised by the Americas Committee on Veterinary Medicines

(CAMVET), aims to facilitate the harmonisation of standards, registries and

controls of veterinary drugs among its member countries.

The State

Minister, during his address, called on major players in the veterinary medical

profession and stakeholders in the livestock subsector, including producers,

importers and distributors, to recognise the importance of detecting and

managing animal diseases.

He said that

the Government is aware that antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is an increasingly

serious threat to global health, which requires action across all sectors and

society.

AMR occurs

when microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites change and

become resistant to the antibiotics used to treat the infections they cause.