The Ministry of Agriculture has rejected claims by Dorwain Bess, co-founder of VPAC, that approximately one million pounds of contaminated chicken may be available for purchase and consumption on the local market.
In a statement, the Ministry described the claims as unsupported by evidence, warning that such allegations could create unnecessary fear among consumers and undermine public confidence in government agencies responsible for safeguarding Guyana’s food supply.
The Ministry maintained that there is no evidence to support claims that chicken being temporarily imported into Guyana through the New Guyana Marketing Corporation (NGMC) is contaminated.
It explained that Guyana has established sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) measures governing the importation of agricultural and food products, in keeping with international food safety and animal health standards.
These measures are intended to protect consumers, safeguard local agricultural production and prevent the introduction and spread of animal diseases.
According to the Ministry, all poultry imported through the NGMC must meet the necessary sanitary, veterinary and food-safety requirements. These include certification and approval procedures in the country of origin, as well as inspections and regulatory oversight in Guyana.
The NGMC also ensures that appropriate transportation and handling measures are maintained throughout the importation and distribution process.
Regarding chicken imported from Brazil, the Ministry explained that the Guyana Livestock Development Authority (GLDA) issues the necessary no-objection only after the relevant requirements have been satisfied.
This includes assessing the animal-health status of the exporting country and monitoring diseases such as Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza and Newcastle disease.
Upon arrival in Guyana, imported poultry products are subject to inspection and oversight by the GLDA, the Veterinary Public Health Unit, the Ministry of Health and other relevant authorities before being cleared for distribution.
The Ministry assured consumers that food safety remains a priority and that established sanitary, phytosanitary and veterinary requirements will not be compromised.
It also called on persons operating social media platforms under the guise of promoting balanced dialogue and public interest to provide credible evidence and verified information when making public claims.
The Ministry said any legitimate concerns regarding food safety should be reported to the relevant authorities for proper investigation.
The Government, it added, remains committed to protecting consumers, supporting local producers and ensuring that all imported food products meet the required standards of safety, quality and hygiene.
