TTBS moving towards raising quality standards in the Poultry Industry.

The Trinidad and Tobago Bureau of Standards (TTBS) in collaboration with the CARICOM Regional Organisation for Standards and Quality (CROS-Q) and the German National Metrology Institute (PTB) hosted a CALIDENA Workshop on Tuesday 15 April, 2014 at the Kapok Hotel. The Workshop which brought together key industry experts and stakeholders of the poultry industry provided an opportunity to analyze the value chain in a very unique way to identify key infrastructure gaps within the sector where remedial action is required to become more competitive.

In delivering Opening Remarks, Senator the Honourable Vasant Bharath, Minister of Trade, Industry, Investment and Communications and Minister in the Ministry of Finance and the Economy underscored the importance of quality in increasing exports and diversifying the economy. The Minister called on the TTBS, the statutory Agency of the Ministry responsible for quality of all goods and services in Trinidad and Tobago to ‘be more visible and proactive in providing information to the general public of your role and the services you provide’. He added that ‘the Bureau has been working assiduously to improve the quality of goods and services produced, used in and exported from Trinidad and Tobago. Indeed, it is the “invisible” process working for the competitiveness and sustainable development of our country, thereby contributing to the quality of life of every citizen of Trinidad and Tobago’.

Senator Bharath noted that ‘the Government of Trinidad and Tobago has identified Food Sustainability as one of the sectors for diversification; and has always maintained a deep interest in the local poultry industry which is critical, accounting for 60% of the agricultural GDP and which has significant potential to be able to maximize profits and encourage more business and entrepreneurs. Minister Bharath also challenged the Poultry Industry Standing Committee which was appointed in July 2011 to ‘move from words of intent to action; for the opportunities that lie before us within the industry are boundless and endless’.

Speaking briefly at the Opening Ceremony, Mr. Theodore Reddock, Executive Director (Ag.), TTBS, expressed gratitude for the participation of the stakeholders in the Workshop stating that ‘the Workshop will allow for more efficient interfacing with industries to ensure quality goods and standards, leading to more competitive and profitable industries’. Also speaking briefly on the purpose of the Workshop were Mr. Russell Franklyn, CROS-Q and Mr. Ulrich Harnes-Liedtke, Consultant with the German National Metrology Institute (PTB).

Attending the session were Mr. Robin Phillips, Poultry Association of Trinidad and Tobago; Ms. Wendy Lee Yuen; and representatives of the Ministry of Food Production, Water Resources Agency, Trinidad and Tobago Manufacturers’ Association; among others.