Parris wants steps taken to safeguard Blackbelly Sheep population

By Rawle Toney

Barbados should establish a robust breeding programme for Blackbelly Sheep before entering into further exporting agreements, according to the President of the Barbados Sheep Farmers.

Rommel Parris said such a programme would serve as a proactive measure to mitigate potential losses.

Speaking at a youth seminar on sheep nutrition, hosted by the Barbados Sheep and Goat Farmers Association, held at the headquarters of the Barbados Agricultural Society (BAS), Parris expressed his concerns regarding the lack of a comprehensive breeding strategy before the export deal with Guyana was finalised in 2022.

Last March, Barbados TODAY reported that Consultant for the Black Belly Sheep Expansion Project, Dr Leroy McClean, defended the Government’s decision to send a portion of the sheep population to Guyana.

In August 2022, Guyana received the first batch of 132 sheep from Barbados, comprising 112 ewes and 20 rams, according to an agreement to send more than 1 000 sheep to that country.

This collaboration between the two governments aimed to establish a regional brand of sheep, reducing the dependency on imported lamb and mutton products from New Zealand and Australia.

Acknowledging that the total number of Blackbelly Sheep on the island is currently unknown, Parris announced plans to initiate a sheep registration programme to create a comprehensive census of the sheep population.

He stressed the urgency of understanding and safeguarding the existing sheep population to prevent depletion through excessive exports.

Parris firmly stated, “If you export everything, you’re going to end up with nothing. We’re trying to see if we can save what we have right now.”

The youth seminar on sheep nutrition was conceived from an observation made during previous AgroFest events, where it became evident that the younger population lacked awareness about Barbados Blackbelly Sheep and its significance.

Linda Hinkson, Barbados Sheep Farmers Association Vice President conducted the seminar.

Parris explained that the seminar aimed to highlight various commodities under the Barbados Agricultural Society, starting with sheep, and subsequently covering dairy and beef in future sessions.

Guyana’s President, Irfaan Ali, at the launch of the programme, said the Blackbelly Sheep project would cost the Government of Guyana an estimated US$3 million to support the breed, primarily raised for meat and other high-demand by-products.

President Ali highlighted Guyana’s suitability for such initiatives, citing abundant land and a favourable climate as key factors for increasing Blackbelly Sheep production.

He further asserted that these initiatives would contribute to sustainable production and target a 25 per cent reduction in the Caribbean’s food importation bill by 2025.

(RT)