CARICOM STANDARD FOR POULTRY PRODUCTS USEFUL FOR LOCAL INDUSTRY

Jul 29, 2018 Features / Columnists, Standards in Focus

The Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS) has adopted the CARICOM Regional Standard Specification for Poultry and Poultry Products as a National Standard. This standard, which will be made mandatory, will ensure that specified poultry meats, whether imported or locally produced, are meeting requirements that guarantee wholesomeness for public consumption.
Developed in 2012 under the authority of the CARICOM Regional Organisation for Standards and Quality (CROSQ), this relatively new poultry standard gives regulatory oversight of poultry and poultry products in the Caribbean. It is necessary to facilitate trade in this commodity among Member States of CARICOM.
The requirements of the standard provide guidance to the industry on the sustainability of poultry processing while allowing the growth and development of small and medium sized enterprises. When adopted and implemented, the standard could serve as a catalyst for the improvement of the quality infrastructure associated with poultry processing.
In other words, aspects such as testing, certification, labelling and measurement will become integral parts of the production process. In addition, the Veterinary Public Health Unit as the competent authority will be able to comprehensively monitor poultry meat production in Guyana according to the requirements of the standard.
Specifically, the scope of this poultry standard covers requirements for primary processed poultry consisting of carcasses, poultry parts and poultry products for human consumption. It defines and distinguishes between the market classes of poultry.
The standard includes requirements for sanitation, plant hygiene, the dressing operation, grading, packaging, labelling and marketing as well as ante-mortem and post mortem inspection of poultry products sold through commercial distribution systems.
The standard does not apply to freshly killed poultry prepared for direct sale to consumers and for which conditions may be prescribed in National Regulations.
Despite its initial development at the CARICOM level, local stakeholders had their opportunity to contribute to the development of the poultry standard early last year prior to adoption by Guyana.
During the public comments stage of developing the standards, the GNBS hosted a public consultation to provide detail information to those who participated and to garner their feedback on the requirements.
Participants attending the session included key poultry producers and regulators. These participants were generally in agreement with the requirements and pledged to make the necessary improvements to their business operations to satisfy the requirements of the standard. This starts with the purchase of the standard and the implementation of the requirements.
Ultimately, the poultry standard augers well for users and the economy as a whole. With its implementation, the local poultry industry will be able to benefit and grow as poultry products are no longer limited to the local market but can be sold in the CARICOM Region as well.
Local consumers are also expected to benefit from this standard with improved quality of products through a standardized grading scheme and education on the requirements outlined in the standard.
For further information on this subject, contact the GNBS on telephone numbers: 219-0065 or 219-0064 or visit the GNBS website: www.gnbsgy.org

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