ROLE AND FUNCTION IN EXPORT FACILITATION MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES VETERINARY SERVICES DIVISION

VETERINARY SERVICES DIVISION MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES - VETERINARY SERVICES DIVISION 2  The VSD is one of six (6) Technical Services Department in the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries.  There are approximately thirteen (13) fulltime veterinary officers on staff including the Chief Veterinary Officer for Jamaica.  There are four (4) major Departments/ Services within the VSD  QUARANTINE AND INSPECTION SERVICES  VETERINARY LABORATORY SERVICES  VETERINARY PUBLIC HEALTH AND EPIDEMIOLOGY UNIT  FIELD SERVICES

VETERINARY SERVICES DIVISION MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES - VETERINARY SERVICES DIVISION 3  The Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries has statutory authority and the leadership role to protect the Jamaican Agriculture sector.  The VSD is the competent authority with responsibility for National Animal Health and Welfare which carries out the establishments of The Animals (Diseases and Importation ) Act on behalf of the Minister.  The VSD is charged with promoting food safety and the facilitation of International Trade in animals and animal products through the granting of relevant permits, appropriate inspection and health certification.

HOW VSD SAFEGUARDS ANIMAL HEALTH MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES - VETERINARY SERVICES DIVISION 4 Disease prevention, surveillance, monitoring, eradication and control. Field Surveillance Activities Port Surveillance Wildlife/Wild birds surveillance. Veterinary Quarantine Regulation of importation of live animals and animal by-products. Issuance of veterinary import permits Monitoring the ports of entry (air and sea). Monitoring the disposal of international waste.

HOW VSD SAFEGUARDS ANIMAL HEALTH MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES - VETERINARY SERVICES DIVISION 5 Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory Services. Diagnosis of animal diseases via scientific methods in bacteriology, serology, parasitology, virology). Residue analysis for pesticides, toxins etc. Veterinary Inspections and Certification Monitoring of food processing establishments that exports products of animal origin - programmed inspections. Certification of live animals and products of animal origin for export.

HOW VSD SAFEGUARDS ANIMAL HEALTH MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES - VETERINARY SERVICES DIVISION 6 Improvement of genetic stock and productivity National Animal Fertility Center – through Artificial Insemination and Embryo Transfer programmes National Emergency Animal Disease Response VSD carries out National Emergency Response Programmes in the event of an outbreak of an exotic disease - Avian Influenza, Foot and Mouth Disease etc. - through the NEADCOM committee chaired by the Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries Simulation exercises

LEGISLATIVE AUTHORITY OF THE VETERINARY SERVICES DIVISION MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES - VETERINARY SERVICES DIVISION 7  Animal (Diseases and Importation) Act  Aquaculture Act  Meat and Meat-by-products Act Visit

VSD RELATIONSHIP WITH INTERNATIONAL BODIES MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES - VETERINARY SERVICES DIVISION 8 WORLD ORGANISATION FOR ANIMAL HEALTH (OIE) Jamaica is one of over 170 countries that are signatories to the OIE Ensure transparency in the global animal disease status Collect, analyze and disseminate veterinary scientific information Encourage international solidarity in the control of animal diseases Promotion of veterinary services Provides a better guarantee of food of animal origin and to promote animal welfare through a science-based approach Safeguard world trade by publishing health standards for international trade in animals and animal products

VSD RELATIONSHIP WITH INTERNATIONAL BODIES CODEX ALIMENTARUS Created in 1963 by the FAO and WHO to develop food standards, guidelines and related texts such as codes of practice under the Joint FAO/WHO Food Standards Programme. FUNCTIONS TO : Protects the health of consumers Ensures fair practices in the trade of food Promotes coordination of all food standards work undertaken by international governmental and non-governmental organizations. MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES - VETERINARY SERVICES DIVISION 9

VSD: EXPORT FUNCTIONS MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES - VETERINARY SERVICES DIVISION 10

VSD EXPORT FUNCTIONS The Veterinary Services Division certifies for export ALL products of animal origin in addition to live animals such as: Animal feeds Meat /poultry Fish/ Aquaculture Dairy Eggs Hides MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES - VETERINARY SERVICES DIVISION 11

VSD EXPORT FUNCTIONS MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES - VETERINARY SERVICES DIVISION 12  It is the EXPORTERS responsibility to acquire all data relating to the requirements of the country receiving the products.  This is usually done through communication with the IMPORTER in the receiving country who contacts their government who determines the requirements - requirements vary form country to country.

VSD EXPORT FUNCTIONS MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES - VETERINARY SERVICES DIVISION 13  Possible IMPORTING requirements some countries may require: HACCP Animal disease surveillance programme of the country Residue monitoring programme of the country ISO Certification Animal health status of the country

VSD EXPORT FUNCTIONS MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES - VETERINARY SERVICES DIVISION 14  VSD meets with EXPORTER to discuss the importing requirements and begin the review process - documents VSD may ask for  Standard Operating Procedures Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs) Potable water report - control and maintenance practices Raw material source and storage Standard sanitary operating procedures (SSOPs ) Pest control practices Waste disposal practices Transport practices

VSD EXPORT FUNCTIONS  HACCP Plan Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) is a systematic approach to the identification, evaluation, and control of food safety hazards HACCP STIMULATES EXPORT. MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES - VETERINARY SERVICES DIVISION 15

VSD EXPORT FUNCTIONS MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES - VETERINARY SERVICES DIVISION 16  Floor Plan  Product Flow  Process Flow  Personnel Flow

VSD EXPORT FUNCTIONS MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES - VETERINARY SERVICES DIVISION 17 After reviewing the documents - inspection visit is scheduled Involves people from various disciplines VETERINARY PUBLIC HEALTH LABORATORY TECHNICIANS HACCP CONSULTANT

VSD EXPORT FUNCTIONS MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES - VETERINARY SERVICES DIVISION 18 Potential Exporters may not be able to satisfy all the requirements - HACCP - impeded by a restricted budget which does not enable them to implement fundamental framework to assist in the facilitation of the export process. As a result: The competent authority,VSD, is unable to attest to TRACEABILITY from farm to fork at all times.  Identify the deficiencies – outline corrective measures - set timelines to address them

VSD EXPORT FUNCTIONS MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES - VETERINARY SERVICES DIVISION 19 Potential EXPOTER meets the requirements - they are given the go ahead to submit samples of the products for export for testing. Products tested and found fit for Human Consumption - EXPORT HEALTH CERTIFICATE is issued for the particular batch. FOR AQUACULTURE PRODUCTS OUR LOCAL LAWS AND REGULATIONS ARE MORE STRINGENT, AND VSD STRONGLY RECOMMENDS CONSULTATION BEFORE STARTING ANY PART OF THIS PROCESS

VSD EXPORT FUNCTIONS LIVE ANIMALS Small/Companion Animals Acquire, fill the appropriate application form and submit for processing along with the requirements for the importing country. Take your small/companion animal to your registered private veterinarian within a week of your appointment to see the Government veterinarian. For your appointment – take along with you – the animal, health attestation from your private veterinarian & health record for the animal – valid ID. Health certification granted – proceed to the Jamaica Trade Board for acquisition of a license to export. On the day of export – veterinary quarantine inspection and sign off. MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES - VETERINARY SERVICES DIVISION 20

VSD EXPORT FUNCTIONS LARGE ANIMALS Acquire, fill the appropriate application form and submit for processing along with the requirements of the importing country. VSD veterinarian – guide you through quarantine MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES - VETERINARY SERVICES DIVISION 21

VSD EXPORT FUNCTIONS MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES - VETERINARY SERVICES DIVISION 22 The VSD will certify to the following: Animal health status of Jamaica Animal health information on products Product processing facilities Products being fit for human consumption

MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES - VETERINARY SERVICES DIVISION 23 VETERINARY SERVICES DIVIVSION 193 OLD HOPE ROAD KINGSTON / WEBSITE: FAX: VETERINARY SERVICES DIVISION WESTERN REGIONAL OFFICE CATHERINE HALL – ST. JAMES

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