Veterinary & Livestock
Vision
The Veterinary & Livestock Division within the Ministry of Agriculture vision is to enhance and diversify the animal welfare in Antigua and Barbuda with the view to improving the productivity and quality of food production and ensuring the safety of the animal population and also the public.
Mission
The mission of this division is to achieve full compliance with legislation through education and awareness programs. As well as the sustainable development of the livestock sector to respond to increasing demands from consumers to contribute to the food security of Antigua & Barbuda.
Services Provided
The Veterinary Livestock Division oversees national health, animal status and welfare through the various services offered. The Division certifies the health of animals; it is responsible in the import/export inspection of live animals, meats and meat products; it offers veterinary consultations, treatment and some surgical procedures for livestock animals.
An Import License must be obtained from the Veterinary and Livestock Division prior to any importation of live animals or animal by-products. It is therefore recommended that individuals wishing to import live animals first contact the division at least two weeks in advance to obtain a document outlining the necessary import requirements that must be fulfilled before the license can be issued. It is important to note that these requirements vary depending on the animal’s country of origin. Once the information requested in the document is provided via fax or email, it will be verified by Veterinary Officers and if given the approval, the Import License will be prepared within 48 hours.
Every entry of animal or animal by-products, must also be accompanied by an official Export Health Certificate stating that the animals are free of any disease and their by-products are fit for human consumption. Upon inspection, animals or animal by-products which are determined by the Veterinary Officer not to be in compliance with the import requirements will be refused entry or quarantined and/or returned to the country of export.
As most countries are also regulating the importation of animals and animal by-products; it is therefore necessary to obtain an Export Health Certificate from the Veterinary & Livestock Division for any exportation of any animals or animal by-products. This certificate is issued by the Veterinary Officer after the animal is inspected and treated for internal and external parasites and deemed healthy to travel; as to the animal by-products, the certificate will only be issued if it is free of any disease and fit for human consumption.
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Faces at the Veterinary Division
Dr. Tubal Edwards, Chief Veterinary Officer
Dr. Diandra Payne, Veterinary Officer
Dr. Chere Kellman, Veterinary Officer
Dr. Nneka Hull-James
Drs. Payne, Hall-James & Kellman in the field
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Local Veterinary Officer Pursues Masters Degree in Ireland
Dr. Nneka Hull James, who is currently pursuing a Master of Public Health at University College Dublin (UCD) in the Republic of Ireland represented the UCD College of Health and Agricultural Sciences at 2022 Society of Veterinary Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine (SVEPM) conference presenting her scientific poster titled, “Antimicrobial resistance in E. coli in horses”. The research was done in collaboration with Dr. Locksley Messam and Dr. Ana Vale of the UCD School of Veterinary Medicine and Dr. James Gibbons of the Irish Equine Centre.
The SVEPM was founded in 1982 and comprises approximately 200 members from 27 countries who are actively engaged or interested in veterinary epidemiology and preventive medicines. Members include vets, modelers, statisticians, economists and other experts in animal health and one health approaches to disease control. The society hosts an annual conference which enables professionals to meet and share knowledge to improve the health of animals, humans and the environment. This year’s conference was held in Belfast, Northern Ireland from March 23-25, 2022.
Dr. Hull James is a veterinary officer within the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Barbuda Affairs and is passionate about the inextricable link between animal and human health and its impact on agriculture. She looks forward to further opportunities to explore the implications of antimicrobial resistance which is a critical threat to humans, animals and the environment.
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World Spay Day 2023
World Spay Day is usually celebrated annually on the fourth Tuesday in February and because of this the date changes each year. The day is observed mainly as a campaign to increase awareness and encourage persons to have their dogs and cats spayed or neutered. Traditionally, in some countries like the United Kingdom (UK) the entire month of February is used to promote and encourage spay/neuter activities.
Spaying is the sterilizing of female animals by the removal of the ovaries and uterus through surgery while neutering is the castrating of the male animals by removal of the testes.
Some benefits of spay/neuter include:
· Reduced stray animal population
· Reduce or eliminate the risk of uterine infections and certain types of cancers
· The animals often live longer healthier lives
· Spayed females do not go into heat
· Neutered males are less likely to roam away from home
· Neutered males may be less aggressive
· Highly cost effective (spaying/neutering is cheaper than caring for litters)
Proper care for domestic animals includes making wise decisions on your pet’s behalf and one of these includes making the responsible decision to prevent unwanted pregnancies in your pets or your community by having your dog or cat spayed or neutered.
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IMPORT REQUIREMENTS FOR ANTIGUA AND BARBUDA FOR PETS (dogs & cats) FROM NORTH, CENTRAL AND SOUTH AMERICA, USVI, BVI, CUBA, HISPANOLA, ST. MAARTEN/ST. MARTIN, MONTSERRAT, GRENADA, TRINIDAD & TOBAGO, ARUBA, BONAIRE AND CURACAO (if your country is not listed here please contact us for your import requirements):
VETERINARY AND LIVESTOCK DIVISION PHONE 🙁 268)460-1759/562-1814/562-7592
P.O. Box 1282 FAX/PHONE: (268)460-1759/462-6104
FRIARS HILL ROAD EMAIL: vld.ab.gov.ag@gmail.com
- JOHN’S. ANTIGUA
IMPORT REQUIREMENTS FOR ANTIGUA AND BARBUDA FOR PETS (dogs & cats) FROM NORTH, CENTRAL AND SOUTH AMERICA, USVI, BVI, CUBA, HISPANOLA, ST. MAARTEN/ST. MARTIN, MONTSERRAT, GRENADA, TRINIDAD & TOBAGO, ARUBA, BONAIRE AND CURACAO (if your country is not listed here please contact us for your import requirements):
- Valid Certification of Rabies Vaccination (annual rabies vaccines required)
- Certification of Microchipping (Please note: If your pet has not been microchipped as yet, we require the ISO microchip. However, if your pet was already microchipped, there is no need to get the ISO microchip.)
- Results within accepted levels of the Rabies FAVN (Antibody Titer) tested at an OIE approved Laboratory (test must have been performed within the last 24 months). If however, the annual (not three year) rabies vaccines are kept up to date a second FAVN test is not required.
The paperwork for Rabies FAVN Serology can be retrieved at:
http://www.vet.k-state.edu/depts/dmp/service/rabies/favn.htm
Please email (vld.ab.gov.ag@gmail.com) for a list of other approved laboratories.
- Full Medical and Updated Vaccination Record must include Leptospirosis and Parvovirus.
- The dog should be tested for Lymes, Heartworm, Anaplasma, Ehrlichiaand Leishmania
disease.
- Additionally for cats, please include the following information: history of vaccinations for FeLV, testing results for FeLV and FIV, and any relevant history regarding FIP, FeLV and FIV.
Please email (vld.ab.gov.ag@gmail.com) or fax the information required above to 268-460-1759 so that we can proceed in the processing of the import license.
Once this is done and after reviewing the dogs/cats medical and vaccination history an import license can be issued. Only pets with a duly issued import license will be accepted into Antigua and Barbuda.
Please note that your dog/cat is to be accompanied by an Official (Government Issued) Health Certificate stating that the animal is in good health and free from the symptoms of communicable diseases. The Certificate must be no more than seven (7) days old.
The animal is to be treated within seven (7) days of exportation for internal and external parasites with an approved broad spectrum product(s). The products should be noted on the official health certificate.
Contact The Veterinary & Livestock Division at phone/fax (268) 460-1759 orvld.ab.gov.ag@gmail.com with the estimated time of arrival (ETA) 72 hrs before arrival. Failure to do so will result in significant delays in getting your pet cleared once it arrives.
Animals landed in Antigua outside of Government working hours, 8:30a.m to 4:30p.m Mondays to Fridays and on weekends and Public Holidays are subject to overtime inspection fees.
Please note that failure to comply with any of the requirements will result in refusal of entry of the pet into Antigua & Barbuda.
Feel free to contact the Veterinary and Livestock Division at phone/fax (268) 562-1814) / (268) 460-1759 or vld.ab.gov.ag@gmail.com for more information.
NB: All residents of Antigua & Barbuda are required to have their dogs registered with the Dog Registration & Control Authority (DRCA). If you plan to reside in this country please contact (562-7277) the DRCA within 7 – 10 days of arrival.
Version 01/12
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IMPORT REQUIREMENTS FOR ANTIGUA AND BARBUDA FOR PETS (dogs & cats) FROM THE UNITED KINGDOM:
VETERINARY AND LIVESTOCK DIVISION PHONE 🙁 268)-460-1759/562-1814/562-7592
P.O. Box 1282 FAX/PHONE: (268)460-1759/462-6104
FRIARS HILL ROAD EMAIL: vld.ab.gov.ag@gmail.com
- JOHN’S. ANTIGUA
IMPORT REQUIREMENTS FOR ANTIGUA AND BARBUDA FOR PETS (dogs & cats) FROM THE UNITED KINGDOM:
- Certification of Microchipping (Please note: If your pet has not been microchipped as yet, we require the ISO microchip. However, if your pet was already microchipped, there is no need to get the ISO microchip.)
- Valid Certification of Rabies Vaccination (annual rabies vaccines required).
- Full Medical and Updated Vaccination Records must include Leptospirosis and Parvovirus, 4DxSnap test results
- Additionally for cats, please include the following information: history of vaccinations for FeLV, testing results for FeLV and FIV, and any relevant history regarding FIP, FeLV and FIV.
Please fax or email the information required above to 268-460-1759 so that we can proceed in the processing of the import license.
Once this is done and after reviewing the dogs/cats medical and vaccination history an import license can be issued. Only pets with a duly issued import license will be accepted into Antigua and Barbuda.
Please note that your dog/cat is to be accompanied by an Official (Government Issued) Health Certificate stating that the animal is in good health and free from the symptoms of communicable diseases. The Certificate must be no more than seven (7) days old.
The animal is to be treated within seven (7) days of exportation for internal and external parasites with an approved product(s). The products should be noted on the official health certificate.
Contact The Veterinary & Livestock Division at phone/fax (268) 460-1759 or vld.ab.gov.ag@gmail.com with the estimated time of arrival (ETA) 72 hrs before arrival. Failure to do so will result in significant delays in getting your pet cleared once it arrives.
Animals landed in Antigua outside of Government working hours, 8:30a.m to 4:30p.m Mondays to Fridays and on weekends and Public Holidays are subject to overtime inspection fees.
Please note that failure to comply with any of the requirements will result in refusal of entry of the pet into Antigua & Barbuda or Quarantined until further notice.
Feel free to contact the Veterinary and Livestock Division at phone/fax (268) 460-1759 or 562-1814 or 562-7592. Email vld.ab.gov.ag@gmail.com for more information.
NB: All residents of Antigua & Barbuda are required to have their dogs registered with the Dog Registration & Control Authority (DRCA). If you plan to reside in this country please contact (562-7277) the DRCA within 7 – 10 days of arrival.
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In-transit Permit Requirements
VETERINARY AND LIVESTOCK DIVISION PHONE: (268) 562-7592
P.O.BOX 1282 FAX: (268) 460 -1759/462-6104
FRIARS HILL ROAD EMAIL: vld.ab.gov.ag@gmail.com
- JOHN’S, ANTIGUA W.I.
Re: In transit Permit Requirements.
There are no In-transit forms to apply for an In-transit Permit; the In-transit License/Permit is prepared within 24 hours as soon as the following information is fully provided by clients, owners or shipping agents:
- Fax number or email address.
- Full name of client(s) traveling with the animal(s) or shipping agents.
- Breed(s) & microchip number of the animal(s).
- Country of Departure.
- Country of Final Destination.
- Airlines and Flight numbers involved on the itinerary.
- Date and Time of departure and arrival in Antigua.
- A copy of the Import Health Certificate of animal final destination.
Feel free to contact the Veterinary and Livestock Division at phone/fax (268) 460-1759 or vld.ab.gov.ag@gmail.com for more information.
Version 01/2011
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CONDITIONS OF A PERMIT CONTROLLING THE IMPORTATION OF SHEEP AND GOATS INTO ANTIGUA AND BARBUDA FROM U.S.A, CANADA, GREAT BRITAIN AND REPUBLIC OF IRELAND
VETERINARY AND LIVESTOCK DIVISION PHONE: (268) 562-7592
P.O.BOX 1282 FAX: (268) 460 -1759 FRIARS HILL ROAD EMAIL: vld.ab.gov.ag@gmail.com
- JOHN’S. ANTIGUA
CONDITIONS OF A PERMIT CONTROLLING THE IMPORTATION OF SHEEP AND GOATS INTO ANTIGUA AND BARBUDA FROM U.S.A, CANADA, GREAT BRITAIN AND REPUBLIC OF IRELAND
- A valid Import Permit issued by the Government Veterinarian must accompany ALL Sheep or Goats entering Antigua. Applications may be obtained from the Veterinary and Livestock Division, Friars Hill Road, St John’s Antigua.
- The Sheep or Goats must be imported directly from the exporting country.
- All test results must be sent before the License is issued
- At least seventy (72) hours’ notice of arrival of the animal must be given to the Veterinary and Livestock Division. Please fax (268 460 1759) or email (vld.ab.gov.ag@gmail.com) the required information.
- On arrival in Antigua each animal shall be examined by a Veterinary Officer.
- An original Export Health Certificate, issued within 48 hours of travel. The Export Health Certificate and Import Permit must be presented to the Veterinary Officer upon arrival of the animal in the island.
The Export Health Certificate must state:
- the country from which the Sheep or Goats is exported has been free from Foot and Mouth Disease for a period of at least twenty-four months immediately prior to the date of the exportation of the goat; and
- the sheep or goats are physically sound and in good health and free from symptoms of Scrapie, Caprine, Pleuropneumonia, Peste des petits ruminants, Sheep and Goat pox, Bluetongue virus and other prescribed or infectious or contagious disease;
- so far as it has been possible to ascertain, Scrapie has not existed on the premises from which the sheep or goat originated during the three years immediately prior to the date of exportation of the animal and the animal are not the progeny of a sire or dam which has been affected by Scrapie;
- The sheep or goats have been subjected, with negative reactions, to a Tuberculin test during the Thirty (30) days immediately prior to exportation;
- The sheep or goats have been subjected, with negative reactions, to a serum agglutination or ELISA test, with internationally approved antigens, for Brucellosis during the thirty days (30) immediately prior to exportation;
- the goat showed no clinical signs of Caprine Arthritis Encephalitis (CAE) on the day of examination and those goats over one year of age had a negative response to ACID test or other approved tests for CAE during thirty (30) days prior to exportation;
(g) The goat or sheep have been approved for export by the Veterinary Authority of the country from which the goat is being exported and then is subjected, with negative results to the Blue Tongue Virus (BTV) ELISA test during thirty (30) days prior to exportation