The spread of the H5N1 bird flu virus to dairy cattle in many states in the USA is a threat to Jamaica’s milk supply.

Since 2022, 90 million chickens, 9,000 wild birds, 34 dairy herds, and one person have been affected by the virus. The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) found the avian flu in eight states, which prompted Colombia to ban milk products from the USA. The problem seems to be deepening, with Mexico strengthening surveillance on all cattle products coming from the USA.

Jamaica imports significant amounts of beef, hatching eggs, poultry, and dairy products from the USA. The local poultry and cattle industries could be at risk, plus our health could be exposed to avian flu virus.

The Veterinary Division of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining (MOAF&M) and Ministry of Health (MOH) do have the mandate to protect the health of Jamaicans by institution of measures to ensure food safety, and in cases like this, the Vet Division has an excellent record of protecting our citizens from diseases emanating from animals, poultry, and their products. The MOH also has many measures to safeguard against unsafe food reaching consumers, but with avian flu, it seemed the collaborative effort between the two ministries needs public education, especially since the USDA revealed that particles of the virus are found in pasteurised milk, and although no mention is made of milk powder, the public should be educated on the possibility of avian flu particles in milk solid products.

Children would be at great risk if milk products became contaminated, most meals for the young are milk-based, from baby formula to cereals and porridge mixes, etc.

Although avian influenza threatens poultry and cattle, other diseases pose serious health issues for the pig industry too. Neighbouring countries like Haiti, Dominica Republic, and the USA pose threats for African swine fever that can wipe out the entire pig population in Jamaica. Currently, pork imports are restricted from these countries, but MOAF&M issues limited import licence for some pork products imported from Canada (feet, belly, tail, etc). The local pig industry supplies up to eight million kilogrammes of pork to the local market annually.

Pig farmers have been complaining of difficulties in selling pork over the last six months and many of them are speculating illegal pork import has occurred. Nonetheless, this has not been proven, and the MOAF&M has not issued any such licence. The illegal importation of any of these products not only damage the local market but can destroy the subsectors for decades, and the vigilance of government agencies must not be underestimated or be circumvented in the pursuit of food safety.

Our culinary practices incorporate curry as an additive in many of the meat protein dishes craved for by locals and visitors alike, but recently police in Manchester seized a large quantity of fake curry which could pose a health risk for curry enthusiasts.

The public must be wondering why the analysis of the confiscated substance labelled as curry is not released by the authorities. This product could be harmful to human health in the same way unlabelled goods in various food outlets may be hazardous to consumers. It’s full time the agencies tasked with the responsibility to protect consumers discharge their duties without biases.

The purpose of these surveillance measures is to protect human, plant, and animal health, and by so doing protect the economy, farmers’ income, and the businesses involved in these subsectors.

Lenworth Fulton is the president of the Jamaica Agricultural Society. He is also a former head of the Rural Agricultural Development Authority and the 4H Clubs.