The Guyana Livestock Development Authority has publicly denied allegations circulating on social media that a shipment of imported cattle bound for the Ebini Livestock Facility was mistreated during transport. The agency said the animals received continuous veterinary care and supervision throughout the importation process, and that claims suggesting otherwise misrepresent standard procedures that were followed at every stage.

The cattle originated in Brazil, where they underwent a mandatory seven day quarantine period before departure. During this time the animals were subject to health inspections and received certification from Brazilian veterinary authorities confirming they met the requirements for export. Upon crossing into Guyana at Lethem, the GLDA carried out a second inspection before allowing the herd to continue its journey toward Ebini.

A significant portion of the criticism aimed at the GLDA centred on a claim that the cattle had been confined for six consecutive days without adequate rest or care. The authority rejected this characterisation directly, stating that the transport process adhered to protocols requiring stops every four hours. At each stop the animals were given feed and water supplemented with electrolytes, and veterinary staff conducted stress assessments to monitor their condition. The agency said these measures are standard practice for livestock transport of this kind and were not altered or skipped during this particular shipment.

Part of the delay that fuelled public concern was attributed to conditions at a river crossing along the transport route. According to the GLDA, tidal conditions made it unsafe to proceed at the originally scheduled time, and precautionary measures were taken to protect both the animals and the vehicles carrying them. The agency described the pause as a deliberate safety decision rather than a failure of planning, and said officials chose to wait for suitable conditions rather than risk the crossing.

The GLDA also addressed the deaths of three animals during the transport process, confirming the losses had occurred. The agency said each death was documented in line with veterinary protocol, with cause and circumstances recorded as part of standard procedure. Officials pointed to the terms of the procurement contract, which requires the supplier to deliver all animals alive. As a result, the three lost cattle will be replaced by the supplier at no additional cost to the Guyanese government. The GLDA framed this contractual obligation as evidence that accountability mechanisms were already built into the agreement before the shipment began.

On the question of the cattle's ultimate purpose, the GLDA was unambiguous. The animals are public assets, procured by the Government of Guyana rather than any private individual or entity. The agency said the shipment forms part of a broader effort to improve the genetic quality of the national herd, strengthen food security and raise domestic livestock productivity over time. Rumours suggesting the cattle would be redirected to private farms were dismissed outright, with officials describing such claims as unfounded.

In closing its statement, the GLDA urged members of the public to rely on verified information rather than unconfirmed claims spreading online. The agency said it remains committed to transparency around the importation programme and would continue to provide updates as the cattle settle into the Ebini facility. Whether this rebuttal will be sufficient to quiet the controversy remains to be seen, though the agency has now placed its account of events, and the documentation behind it, firmly on the public record.

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