Agricultural officials conducting health survey of local livestock

Agricultural officials are conducting the annual health survey of local livestock, related to the Tropical Bont Tick and other parasites.{{more}}

The Animal Health and Production Division in the Ministry of Agriculture is conducting the exercise, which ends in November.

The survey will examine sheep, goats and cattle.

It will assess the effectiveness of actions to eradicate the Tropical Bont Tick, which was discovered here in 2000.

The survey will also try to determine if diseases resulting from the tick threaten local livestock.

Veterinary Officer Dr Malaika Glasgow said the tick is responsible for diseases such as heartwater, which causes sudden death, and dermatophilosis, a repulsive skin disease that affects livestock, the Ministry said in a release.

As a result of the control and eradication programme, no tick has shown up in the annual surveys conducted since 2002, the Ministry further said.

The Ministry said that from September 18, animal health officers would be in agricultural districts to inspect the animals.

Livestock would also be given a general health assessment and treatment, free of cost.

Farmers will be expected to assist the process by restraining their animals.

The survey will be conducted as follows: in St Vincent from September 18 to October 26; in the Northern Grenadines from October 29 to 30; and in the Southern Grenadines from October 31 to November 2.

Today, September 18, officials will be in Buccament Bay, Vermont, Dubois. On Wednesday, they will visit Rillan Hill, Chauncey, Questelles, and Clare Valley and will move to Campden Park, Lowmans Hill, and Gibson Corner on Thursday.

The Ministry is encouraging farmers to ensure their animals are checked and to be on hand to assist with the restraining, examination and any possible treatment that may be necessary.

The Ministry said it would further advise on radio of the days and location where the inspections will take place.