Shining a light on the outstanding successes and key developments of our members.
GEORGETOWN, GUYANA – March 29, 2026 — The Caribbean Poultry Association (CPA) launched its second booklet, “Safe & Sound: A Biosecurity Guide for Small Poultry Flocks in the Caribbean”, on March 25, 2026, during a hybrid session of the 26th Meeting of the CARICOM Committee of Chief Veterinary Officers (CVOs). The event, supported, facilitated and addressed by representatives of the CARICOM Secretariat and the Caribbean Agricultural Health and Food Safety Agency, attracted over three hundred online participants and eighty attendees in St. Eustatius.
The booklet expands upon last July's publication, “Keeping Cool: A Practical Guide to Managing Stress in Small Poultry Flocks in the Caribbean,” with both publications addressing management challenges highlighted by farmers and experts as affecting flock performance and profitability. Produced through a collaboration between the CPA and the School of Veterinary Medicine of the University of the West Indies (SVM UWI), they include
contributions from senior veterinarians across the Caribbean - Dr. Victor Gongora of Belize, Dr. Nicholas Waldron of Guyana and Dr. Keith Amiel of Jamaica.
The online seminar featured presentations from Dr. Hubert Trenchi - Technical Coordinator of the Latin American Poultry Association, Dr. Shayne Ramsubeik – Lecturer at the SVM UWI and Dr. Lisa Musai, CVO of Trinidad and Tobago/Chair of the CARICOM Committee of CVOs.
Dr. Lisa Musai CVO of Trinidad and Tobago & Chair of the CARICOM Committee of CVOs The presenters discussed biosecurity measures, the importance of building a biosecurity plan, cost-effective medicine practices, antimicrobial resistance, and strategies for resilient farming.
A panel of four CVOs from Belize, Cayman Islands, Jamaica, and St. Kitts and Nevis, along with a representative of the World Organisation of Animal Health (WOAH), responded to questions about biosecurity and regulations to reduce the risk of avian influenza and other diseases in the region.
CPA’s Executive Director, Ms. Nisa Surujbally, informed participants that small farmers supply as much as 40% of the poultry meat consumed in the region and are crucial for egg self-sufficiency. With regional per capita consumption of over 50kg broiler meat per annum, an increasing demand for the lowest cost source of animal protein, the industry is pressing forward to expand production while reducing reliance on imported inputs such as hatching eggs and feed ingredients. She encouraged farmers to make use of the guidelines, noting that even small changes, such as closing fence gaps or cleaning boots before entering a coop, can significantly reduce the risk of disease.
The CPA announced that both booklets are available online at
https://www.caribbeanpoultry.org/resources as well as the webinar’s presentations at
https://www.caribbeanpoultry.org/protect-your-flock#articles
