In a live broadcast, President Dr. Irfaan Ali revealed that Guyana is actively engaging with the World Animal Health Organization and the United States to combat the spread of the Bird Flu virus, which has significantly impacted the global poultry industry.
The global poultry sector is facing severe challenges, with a 40% decline in hatching egg production and a 33% drop in meat production.
The United States, the world’s largest egg producer, has been particularly affected.
While Guyana has made strides in ramping up meat production and has recently started hatching egg production, the country estimates that it will take 3 to 4 years to achieve self-sufficiency.
To safeguard the local industry, President Ali announced that the Ministry of Agriculture is closely monitoring the situation and collaborating with global partners to implement preventive measures.
Additionally, Guyana is working with Brazil, the second-largest egg producer, to prevent potential disruptions in the poultry supply chain, which could have major regional consequences.
The Bird Flu virus continues to pose risks, including potential price increases and inflation in the poultry sector.