No stranger to Niue, Veterinarian Dr Bryan Gartrell is back on the island and this time working alongside The Pacific Community (SPC) to conduct a four day Import Risk Assessment, Animal Health Emergency Response Plan and Para-veterinarian training this week.
Dr Gartrell is passionate for animal welfare having worked for the renowned non-profit organization- The Rock Vets Niue, hopes the training will create more awareness especially on what to do if we get an exotic disease on the island.
“Animal welfare has been paramount for me as a veterinary surgeon over the last 50 years, I think what we really got to do is educate people on proper animal people husbandry and management practices” he said.
Dr. Gartrell reiterated the importance of proper animal management so there are no welfare disease issues. Raising awareness of animal diseases and welfare is essential for disease control and the prevention of zoonotic diseases to the human population.
The week-long training covers areas of import risk assessment, second stages of animal health emergency response plans focusing discussions on African Swine Fever (ASF) and Avian Influenza to para-vet practical training.
SPC’s Pacific Heads of Veterinary and Animal Productions Services (PHOVAPS) Coordinator-Elenoa Salele says the Import Risk Assessment training is based on identifying internal and external risk of imported live animals and products and protecting Niue from the introduction of any exotic disease.
Ms. Salele said that there is also a shortage of qualified veterinarians in the Pacific and this was a great opportunity to team up with the Niue Rock Vets in conducting para-vet practical exercises with the guidance of Dr. Bryan.
“The Para-Veterinary training is designed as a distance-learning programme and focuses on animal health and production issues for livestock found in the Pacific, including cattle, goats, sheep’s, pigs, poultry etc. and Niue is very fortunate to have the support from Niue approved Veterinarian Dr. Bryan who is collaborating with us on the delivery of this training.”
Dr Gartrell said animal welfare encompasses the quality of life of an animal and it encompasses how well we look after them.
Participants in the training included livestock officers, biosecurity officers, health and environment officials. The training is co-funded by the European Union through the Safe Agricultural Trade Facilitation through Economic Integration in the Pacific (SAFE Pacific) project and the Niue Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF).