President Irfaan Ali has called on the Caribbean Region to take steps to guard against foot-and-mouth disease, which has the potential to further disrupt regional food security.

Speaking at the 52nd Ordinary Meeting of the South American Commission for the Fight Against Foot-and-Mouth Disease (COSALFA), which is being held in Guyana, the President said the region cannot afford any disruptions to its food ecosystems.

“We are acutely aware that a single outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease can devastate food security, rural livelihoods, and trade across Latin America and the Caribbean, vigilance as a result is not optional it is survival and yet vigilance alone is insufficient. We must build systems that are proactive, interconnected and resilient to shocks both biological and geopolitical,” the President said.

Foot and Mouth disease is a highly contagious disease that affect animals including cattle, pigs, sheep and goats.

The President said animal health security now remains crucial to regional food security. He noted that Guyana remains free from animal diseases, but the country is moving ahead with plans ensure food security for the country and the region.

“Guyana has embraced a bold and decisive vision to become a net exporter of safe, high quality agriculture products within this decade. We are advancing the 2025 + 5 initiative—a strategic framework to accelerate agriculture transformation, reduce import dependency and build genuine food sovereignty across CARICOM,” the President noted.

The President said the region must now not only try to increase market access, but expand production and productivity in livestock, crops and aquaculture.

“As we scale up production of meat, poultry and meat with over US$650m in opportunities, we rely on the assurance that our region remains protected from transboundary animal diseases, it is hoped that the 2026- 2030 action plan to be implemented will give us that assurance,” the President noted.

Guyana holds the CARICOM responsibility for agriculture.

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