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This agreement of understanding was reached between the Dominican Government, through the Ministry of Agriculture, FAO, and APHIS/USDA, with the objective of modernizing the swine industry and its value chain in the country.
The National Swine Biosecurity Plan seeks to improve the biosecurity conditions of both technified and non-technified farms, reducing the risk of entry and spread of diseases, including African Swine Fever (ASF). This plan establishes more than 75 biosecurity criteria that address fundamental aspects such as farm location, infrastructure, pest control, proper water and feed management, implementation of cleaning, washing, and disinfection manuals, and transportation control.
The certification of these four farms -Hacienda Rivera de Bonao, Nugeporc de Cotuí, Cerdos Caribeños de Santo Domingo, and Grupo Mirito de Monte Plata- is a significant step towards the modernization of the swine industry, complying with the biosecurity criteria established in the Plan. This milestone not only guarantees the production of safe, disease-free pork, but also improves sanitary conditions throughout the production chain.
President Luis Abinader highlighted the importance of the swine industry in the country's agricultural economy, noting that it generates more than 50,000 direct and indirect jobs. “By 2023, the swine industry represented 2.1% of national agricultural production, producing close to 65,000 tons of pork, the second most consumed animal protein by Dominicans," he said.
Rodrigo Castañeda, FAO Representative in the country, underlined the relevance of this achievement for strengthening food security in the Dominican Republic. “Every farm that adopts modern biosecurity standards guarantees access to safe and affordable meat. There is no food security without food safety. Therefore, a comprehensive biosecurity approach ensures not only animal health, but also the economic sustainability of farms and competitiveness in national and international markets,” he emphasized.
The National Swine Biosecurity Plan has 591 registered farms representing 82% of swine production. This achievement is part of a larger effort by the government and its international partners to transform the country's agri-food systems and ensure that the Dominican Republic moves towards a more sustainable and secure future in the agricultural sector.
October 3, 2024/ FAO/ Dominican Republic.
https://www.fao.org
