Animal Health Department

BAHA’s Animal Health Department remains active in providing animal health services in the field, focusing primarily on preventive medicine and implementing disease control programs.

BAHA has two Veterinary Offices: The Orange Walk Veterinary Office services the Northern districts of Corozal and Orange Walk whereas the Central Farm Veterinary Office services the Cayo, Stann Creek and Toledo Districts. These offices receive diagnostic support from the Central Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory (CVDL) at Central Farm, Cayo District, and the Veterinary Laboratory at the Orange Walk Office.

BAHA offers a wide range of animal health services to farmers, veterinarians, supply industries and those responsible for recreational and domestic animals. Generally, the department is mandated to promote animal health and welfare in order to foster favourable conditions for economic animal production. Further, by the provision of surveillance schemes and herd health programs, BAHA will help to transfer and equip livestock producers with adequate knowledge and skill for the proper management and improvement of all available resources for an efficient, sustainable livestock industry with an enhanced capacity for positive contribution to the growth of the national economy. A specific priority of the Animal Health Department is the strengthening of animal disease control and surveillance measures and the development of Emergency Preparedness Plans with capacity building in disease risk assessment and management.

BAHA achieves these goals through partnerships with livestock associations such as the Belize Poultry Association, the Belize Livestock Producers Association, Belize Shrimp Growers Association (BSGA) and with its international partners involved with regional animal health programs like Organismo Internacional Regional de Sanidad Agropecuaria (OIRSA), and International Institute for Cooperation in Agriculture (IICA).