Pregnant heifers arrive in Guyana from Brazil – Animal health, welfare priority throughout importation process – GLDA

…supplier to replace animals that died during transportation

The Guyana Livestock Development Authority (GLDA) has maintained that the health, welfare and humane treatment of animals have remained the highest priority throughout the importation process of pregnant heifers from Brazil to Guyana, with Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Dr Dwight Walrond reporting that the animals have arrived safely at the organisation’s Ebini Livestock Facility in the Berbice River. The GLDA issued the statement on Monday in response to social media claims about poor management of the animals during the transportation process. “At no stage have the animals been neglected, abandoned, or transported without continuous veterinary supervision,” the Authority posited.

It contended that contrary to claims circulated online, the cattle underwent a mandatory seven-day pre-export quarantine in Brazil, during which they were inspected, monitored, tested, and officially certified by the competent veterinary authorities as healthy and free from transboundary animal diseases. The GLDA further explained that upon arrival in Lethem, Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Essequibo) in Guyana, the animals were subjected to further veterinary inspection by the organisation before being cleared to continue their journey to its Ebini Livestock Facility, Berbice River. “Throughout the journey from Lethem to Ebini, the cattle have been transported in accordance with strict animal welfare protocols. Mandatory rest stops were conducted every four hours, during which the animals were provided with feed and clean drinking water supplemented with electrolytes,” the GLDA noted. The Authority outlined that during each stop, GLDA veterinarians and animal health personnel carried out routine welfare assessments to monitor the animals for any signs of stress, illness, injury, or fatigue. “Veterinary supervision and technical support have remained continuous throughout the operation,” the GLDA assured. In a video statement released on Monday evening from the Ebini research station, Dr Walrond provided an update on the animals’ arrival and condition. “I just wanted to let the general populace know that the animals have arrived safely on the station,” Dr Walrond said. He explained that the heifers were placed in a paddock with UF 717 forage, where they were allowed to begin adjusting to their new surroundings. “So these animals, they’re now like what any cattle would do. They’re just exploring, they’re surrounding for the time being,” he said.
Dr Walrond added that mineral sheds at the facility had already been supplied with the necessary supplements for the animals, which will remain in the paddock for the next few days while being observed by GLDA’s technical team, including production staff, pasture specialist Yannick Roberts and veterinary personnel.
“These animals by tomorrow [today], I can guarantee you will be well rested, comfortable and start adapting to their new location,” he stated. He also thanked GLDA staff and members of the public who assisted during the transportation process, particularly at the waterfront where challenges were encountered due to tidal conditions. “We have no control over certain things. Today we saw what happened with the excavator, the fuel pump had some issues. Two trucks got stuck on the other side but those trucks are already over here. The animals are in the pasture,” Dr Walrond said. He said the arrival of the animals at Ebini marks the beginning of a new phase in Guyana’s breeding programme.

Mortalities
Nevertheless, the GLDA disclosed via its statement that during the course of the operation, animal mortalities were recorded but noted that these were isolated incidents. “While any livestock mortality during transport is regrettable, these isolated losses were promptly documented and managed in accordance with established veterinary protocols,” the GLDA said, adding that the supplier will be required to deliver replacements as per the terms and conditions of the contract. “Consequently, the supplier will be required to replace the three animals at no additional cost to the Government of Guyana or the Guyana Livestock Development Authority, in accordance with its contractual obligations,” the GLDA pointed out. Commenting on this, Dr Walrond said the mortalities were due to “cramping”. “Those professionals who know about livestock and the transporting of livestock would know that this is something that can occur,” he noted.
It was not disclosed how many deaths were recorded.

Rejected claims
Meanwhile, the GLDA also rejected claims that the animals are intended to benefit privately owned and operated farms, noting that the importation of the pregnant heifers is part of the Government’s national livestock development programme.
Describing the cattle as “public assets”, the GLDA noted that the programme is designed to strengthen the country’s genetic improvement initiatives, enhance national food security, and increase domestic livestock productivity. “The animals are not associated with, nor intended for the benefit of, any privately owned or privately operated farm, as has been falsely suggested,” the GLDA asserted, noting that it remains committed to transparency, scientific animal health management, and adherence to internationally accepted animal welfare standards.

Remaining shipments
The Agriculture Ministry on Saturday announced that it had received the first shipment of 300 pregnant heifers under the Government of Guyana’s national herd expansion programme, which provides for the procurement of 1,000 pregnant heifers from Brazil to enhance the national breeding herd and support increased beef and dairy production. The procurement was executed through the national tendering process. A total of four bids were received, one local and three international bidders, evaluated in accordance with the provisions of the Procurement Act. Following the evaluation process, the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB) awarded the contract to Coopera of Brazil, the successful bidder, at a price of $245,000 per pregnant heifer. The Ministry explained that by expanding the national herd with quality breeding animals, the initiative will support increased livestock production, improve opportunities for farmers, reduce dependence on imported breeding stock, and contribute to Guyana’s food security objectives. The Ministry had noted that the remaining shipments will arrive in keeping with the contractual schedule until the full complement of 1,000 pregnant heifers has been delivered.