ECONOMY & TRADE FOCUS YOUTH FOCUS
Investigations of an Antiguan Vet Student “Our project was titled ‘A pilot study investigating dairy cattle welfare in Trinidad, Tobago, Antigua and Barbados.’ We embarked on this study two years ago when we realized the deficit in Animal Welfare Research in the Caribbean. Using dairy cattle as a model, our investigative pilot study aimed to ascertain the standard of animal welfare currently practiced in the Caribbean and to establish a precedent for welfare where there is none.” This is what Antiguan veterinary student Nneka Hull-James and her teammates explained to their panel of judges from the Faculty of Medical Sciences and an audience of the veterinary student body, lecturers, professors, representatives from the Ministries of Health and Agriculture, veterinarians and representatives from wildlife and conservation groups at the School of Veterinary Medicine, UWI, St. Augustine’s annual Veterinary Students’ Research Day. Held on February 6th 2014, Nneka, along with Meera Koongebeharry (Trinidad), Nirvana P. Dodo (Trinidad), and Tracy Sealy (Barbados) were one of 11 groups to present their project. Obviously impressing the panel of judges with their study, which was conducted among 43 farms distributed throughout Antigua, Barbados, Tobago and Trinidad using semi- structured interviews, they won first place and will be attending 28th Biennial Caribbean Veterinary Medical Conference in November 2014. Being the premier meeting venue for veterinarians of the Caribbean with additional attendees from other countries, including the United States, Nneka and her team will present their research project. Curious as to the findings? Nneka was more than happy to share elements of her study and her passion for this field with Business Focus. 74 |
BusinessFocus • April/June 2014
human care. Lack of an adequate standard of welfare compromises an animal’s ability to grow, produce and survive. Furthermore, animal welfare is of major significance for reduction of hunger as well as environmental sustainability and has an inextricable link to human health. BF: Your study has included Antigua, Barbados, Tobago and Trinidad. Please share some of your findings.
Business Focus: Why did you choose to study dairy cattle? Nneka Hull-James: We chose dairy cattle as our model due to their relatively long lifespan as farm animals compared to meat livestock resulting in a greater chance for breaches in good welfare practice. Also, the observation of working animals in a herd versus personal pets was thought to present a more authentic account of existing welfare practices. Furthermore, dairy cattle play a vital role in milk production. Animal welfare recognizes the fact that animals are sentient beings which necessitates their humane treatment and prevents unnecessary suffering of farmed animals. Animal welfare is a vital component of any responsible livestock sector. The farming of animals is no longer seen as a mere means of food production, but is also a growing ethical concern with an increasing public sense of responsibility for animals under
NHJ: Welfare practices observed in our study were compared to the internationally outlined guidelines for Animal Welfare of Dairy Cattle. Assessments were then made using the scoring system we developed. Our data revealed that Barbados was the leader among the four islands in dairy cattle welfare which was followed by Trinidad, then Antigua and lastly Tobago. Our results revealed that farmers had most issues with management of milking and provision of food and water, conversely, the farms generally scored well in the areas of Healthcare and Biosecurity as well as provision of adequate environment and facilities. It is interesting to note that of the islands examined, Antigua has the most currently updated animal welfare laws. Our laws include the Dog Control and Registration Act, as well as an act for Protection from Cruelty to Animals which was the only one of its kind among the study population. This is impressive, as Antigua and Barbuda is leading the way in Animal Welfare legislation. However, further work still needs to be done to enforce these laws, educate the public and increase animal welfare awareness. BF: What improvements or recommendations would you make based on the findings of your study? NHJ: We found that improvements need to be made to make resources more available to farmers. The general consensus was that farmers have a desire to provide the best