DOMINICA

Geography
Dominica is an island of volcanic origins located between the French islands of Guadeloupe and Martinique in the Eastern Caribbean, at approximately 15° 25' N, 61° 20' W. It is the largest and most mountainous of the Windward Islands, with an area of 289.5 sq. miles (754 sq. km). It is 29 miles long and 16 miles at the widest point. The formal name is the Commonwealth of Dominica. Dominica's population is around 72,386 (June 2007 est.) of which 20,000 live in and around the capital city of Roseau. The population growth rate is 0.184%. The climate is tropical, moderated by northeast trade winds and heavy rainfall. The terrain is rugged with mountains of volcanic origin.

The Poultry Industry

The broiler population in 2006 was approximately 250,000 birds. The number of birds in lay producing table eggs for the general population was approximately 15,000.   There are an estimated 50 broiler farmers and 30 egg farmers. Semi-commercial and commercial broiler farmers rear between 100 and 5000 birds at a time. In 2006, the largest egg farmer had 1000 birds in lay. In addition, there are many backyard fowls in the rural areas.  Day old chicks are imported form Barbados weekly. There is no hatchery on the island. Birds are vaccinated in the hatchery in Barbados against Newcastle Disease, Marek’s and Infectious Bronchitis prior to export to Dominica.   
There is one small processing plant on the island where farmers can take their birds to be processed. This processing plant has a capacity of 100 birds per day. However, most slaughter takes place in the back yard and the birds are then sold in the local community.  Many people buy live birds directly from farmers and slaughter them at home.     
Over 95% of all the poultry meat consumed in the country is imported from the USA as frozen processed poultry meat. Occasionally, imports also come from the UK. In 2005, approximately 4000 metric tones of processed poultry meat were imported while local production accounted for 340 metric tonnes.
Approximately 4.2 million eggs were produced in 2006.  To satisfy the local demand in December, table eggs are imported from the USA. The annual per capita egg consumption is 58 eggs.
The Official Veterinary Services employ two veterinarians and two animal health technicians. The laboratory is staffed with two laboratory technicians and has equipment for AI diagnostics including AGID.  The lab also has a PCR machine which will be commissioned soon for AI testing.     
The Dominican Poultry Association was founded in 2006. It collaborates with the Ministry of Agriculture in conducting seminars and workshops for its members.