The Honourable Dr. Amery Browne, Minister of Foreign and CARICOM Affairs highlighted the critical role of animal health in achieving food security at the opening of the 25th Meeting of the Committee of CARICOM Chief Veterinary Officers (CCVOs) and the 6th CaribVET General Assembly on 24th March, 2025. The meeting was hosted by the Ministry of Agriculture, Land and Fisheries and underscored the region’s commitment to reducing its food import bill by 25% by 2025. This target was set by CARICOM Heads of Government.
Minister Browne emphasized that the work of the CCVOs and CaribVET is essential to ensuring food safety and security through disease surveillance, diagnosis and response capabilities. He added that the CARICOM Agri-Food Systems Strategy further demonstrates the region's dedication to strengthening food production processes. The Minister also acknowledged the importance of collaboration with international organizations such as the Food and Agriculture Organization and the World Organization for Animal Health, particularly in light of experiences with the COVID-19 pandemic.
In closing, Minister Browne urged participants to embrace the One Health concept, which recognises the interconnectedness of human, animal and environmental health by highlighting how one impacts the other. He also underscored the importance of collaboration and strengthened regional and international relationships in enabling CARICOM Member States to create unified strategies for addressing regional challenges, promoting safe trade and building resilient public health infrastructure.
