The Dominica Labour Party administration, through the Livestock Development Unit of the Division of Agriculture is looking into innovative ways of producing higher quality meat products on island as a National Artificial Insemination and Embryo Transplant project is well underway.
Chief Veterinary Officer at the Ministry of Agriculture, Dr. Reginald Thomas, says Government’s objectives are to prevent infections and diseases caused by cross contamination and to introduce quicker livestock rearing options.
Dr. Thomas says these processes will allow the ministry to control the quality of meat products on the local market.
“These forms of breeding allow us to multiply a larger number of animals and we are able to control the type of genetic material that we wants as it helps in the reduction of introduction of possible infectious and contagious diseases. Embryo transplant on the other hand, is a technique where you inseminate fertilized embryo into a [female]. The animal becomes a surrogate and rears that embryo until the animal gives birth.”
The project will include livestock such as sheep, cattle, pig and goat. Dr. Thomas reports the ministry has already sourced the genetic material necessary and is awaiting the arrival of equipment to launch the project.
“We imported some sheep and goats from the United States and Barbados to assist with that programme. The animals are on island and we are awaiting the equipment. The job is to try to ensure that the animals are in the state that they are required so the work can take place. We are trying to make sure that that they are fed properly and that they are treated as it relates to parasites to allow for that work to take place at the facility,” Dr. Thomas explained.
Refurbishment of the lab located at the Central Livestock Farm in Londonderry is expected to be completed by the end of this month.
Through this project, Government hopes to reduce the quantity of meat products imported into the island.
“The overall hope is to improve or increase the quality of the meat that we have on island. We import large quantities of meat, poultry, pork…we want to position ourselves where we can expand these subsectors to address the growing need and desire for imported meat and meat products. The farmers will benefit in that they will be able to sell and improve their economy.”
The Genetic Improvement Program is funded by the European Union through financing agreement of the Banana Accompanying Measures of technological development (BAM).