Seychelles Partners With United States to Strengthen Food Safety and Poultry Biosecurity
VICTORIA, Seychelles — Principal Secretary for Agriculture Keven Nancy has opened a three-day workshop designed to strengthen veterinary public health and biosecurity systems, as Seychelles pursues greater food resilience through international cooperation with United States agricultural agencies.
The Cold Chain Management and Food Safety Workshop, held at Eden Bleu Hotel and supported by the United States Department of Agriculture through the USA Poultry and Egg Export Council, convenes government officials and private sector stakeholders to address import control measures, disease preparedness, and compliance with international sanitary standards.
Seychelles depends heavily upon imported poultry to supplement domestic production insufficient to meet national demand, particularly given annual tourism arrivals exceeding visitor numbers relative to the resident population. This dependence creates vulnerabilities that disease outbreaks could severely disrupt.
Nancy emphasised that animal disease threats extend beyond agriculture into public health, livelihoods, tourism revenues, and broader economic stability. He described biosecurity strengthening as a national responsibility requiring coordinated multisectoral effort.
Zelda Sharp, USAPEEC’s regional director for Africa, detailed long-standing cooperation between American industry and Seychelles that began with challenging bilateral negotiations in 2003 and eventually opened to United States poultry imports in 2004. She praised Seychelles’ highly advanced cold chain management as among the best across the African continent.
The workshop continues with technical sessions examining veterinary surveillance, outbreak preparedness, and international compliance frameworks.
