CORAL SPRING, Trelawny — Citing the heavy toll recent natural disasters have taken on the country’s livestock sector, Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining Floyd Green has called for the inclusion of animal health and welfare in Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (DRRM) across Jamaica and the region.

The call came in a message delivered by Orville Powell, chief technical director in the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining, on behalf of Green during the opening ceremony of the 34th Caribbean Veterinary Medical Association (CbVMA) and 8th Pan Commonwealth Veterinary (CVA) Conference at the Ocean Coral Spring Hotel in Trelawny Tuesday night. The conference runs from April 14 to 17.

Green noted that Jamaica lost more than 1.6 million animals, mostly poultry, as a result of the passage of Hurricane Beryl in July 2024 and Hurricane Melissa in October 2025.

DRRM is a systematic, multi-sectoral process aimed at preventing new risks, reducing existing vulnerabilities, and managing residual risks to strengthen resilience. It moves beyond being reactive to continuous planning across four key pillars: prevention/mitigation, preparedness, response and recovery.

“Given the scale of recent disasters, I am calling for the inclusion of animal health and welfare in Disaster Risk Reduction and Management for Jamaica and the wider Caribbean. In just 16 months, Jamaica was ravaged by two serious hurricanes, Beryl in July 2024 and Melissa in October 2025, resulting in the loss of over 1.6 million animals, primarily poultry. These losses created not only economic fallout but also challenges for animal welfare and food security,” Green underscored.

“Therefore, as we strengthen our disaster risk and recovery management systems, we must do so with animals in mind. Protecting companion animals, livestock, and wildlife alongside human populations ensures a systematic process of planning, response, and recovery. It mitigates risks to animal welfare, safeguards public health, and accelerates community recovery by protecting livelihoods,” he added.

Pointing to Hurricane Melissa recovery, Green noted that his ministry continues to integrate the One Health approach, recognising the strong link between animal and human health. With many infectious diseases originating from animals, he noted that the Government prioritises veterinary services, food safety, and disease surveillance to protect public health.

He also underscored that Jamaica is strengthening early warning systems and collaboration to guard against threats such as avian influenza, rabies, Lyme disease, and West Nile virus. Post-disaster efforts have focused on controlling leptospirosis, tetanus, and screwworm infestations, he added.

Additionally, Green revealed that $5 million was allocated to the Jamaica Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (JSPCA) to support recovery clinics and expand animal welfare services, with the organisation set to be formally recognised for its contributions to disaster relief.

He commended the JSPCA for its role, spanning more than 100 years, in promoting animal rights and the treatment of animals through education, advocacy, and veterinary care.

“Yet, despite these efforts, we must face the reality that countries, especially small island developing states, remain vulnerable to climatic and geopolitical shocks,” he said.

The Joint 34th CbVMA and 8th CVA Conference is being held under the theme, “Advancing Our World Through Sustainable Health and Animal Care.” While the CbVMA was last hosted in Jamaica in 2017, this is the first time the conference is being staged jointly with the CVA.

The event brings together veterinarians, technicians, and students from across the globe, both in person and virtually, to engage in discussions on critical issues such as animal welfare, One Health, climate change, and their impacts on animal and human health.

“Conferences such as this are invaluable for professional development, but this one is especially significant. It brings together minds and ideas from over 20 countries across the Caribbean, the Americas, Europe, Asia, and Australia, at a time when small island states like Jamaica are rebuilding stronger, developing strategies to shock-proof our agricultural systems, our health systems, and our natural resources through technology and innovation,” Green noted.

Young Annu Stewart thrilling the audience with a musical item.

A section of the audience in attendance at the 34th Caribbean Veterinary Medical Association (CbVMA) and 8th Pan Commonwealth Veterinary (CVA) Conference at Ocean Coral Spring Hotel in Trelawny Tuesday night.