HGP Nightly News – Opposition Leader Azruddin Mohamed has claimed that about 300 cattle from Brazil entered Guyana without proper clearance, but the Ministry of Agriculture has denied wrongdoing and says the shipment is part of a legitimate national programme.
The latest political clash began after Mohamed released a video on Saturday claiming the cows had crossed from Boa Vista, Brazil, through Lethem and were being transported toward Linden under suspicious circumstances.
He alleged that the animals bypassed border security and received “absolutely no clearance” from public health officials or the Guyana Revenue Authority.
Mohamed also claimed the cattle were being moved in a convoy of trucks along the Lethem-to-Mabura road, with each truck carrying about 30 cows.
He said the heavy transports damaged the trail and left bus drivers and commuters stranded.
The Opposition Leader further alleged that the animals were intended for a 150-acre mega-farm and abattoir in Region Five, where they would be slaughtered, repackaged as local meat, and sold at premium prices to major buyers, including Chinese supermarkets, the Guyana Defence Force, and the Guyana Police Force.
According to Mohamed, the destination was changed only after those involved realised they were being monitored.
He also raised biosecurity concerns, warning that unscreened cattle from Brazil could introduce foot-and-mouth disease and threaten local livestock and pastures.
The Ministry of Agriculture rejected the claims in a late-night statement, saying the 300 cattle are not contraband.
According to the Ministry, the animals are the first shipment in a planned importation of 1,000 pregnant heifers under the National Herd Expansion Programme.
The Ministry said the programme is intended to strengthen Guyana’s beef and dairy sectors.
It stated that the animals came from the Brazilian supplier Coopera and that the procurement process was evaluated through the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board.
The Ministry said four bids were received, including one local and three international offers, and that the final contract price was G$245,000 per pregnant heifer.
It also said the cattle completed all veterinary health inspections, testing, and quarantine protocols before export.
According to the Ministry, the official final destination for the animals is the Breeding and Research Centre at Ebini, Berbice River.
Despite the government’s denial, the controversy escalated on Sunday when Mohamed released another video targeting the administrative leadership of Region Nine.
The dispute has now widened into a broader fight over border control, procurement, biosecurity, transparency, and the movement of livestock through the region.
