Former Georgetown Mayor and Hindu leader Pandit Ubraj Narine has condemned the deaths of pregnant Brazilian heifers imported into Guyana, describing the incident as a moral failure, a violation of Hindu teachings, and evidence of what he called the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Government’s “absence of compassion and humanity.”

Narine’s statement comes amid mounting public scrutiny over the Government’s National Herd Expansion Programme, under which 1,000 pregnant heifers are being imported from Brazil to strengthen Guyana’s beef and dairy industries. The first shipment of 300 pregnant heifers arrived in Guyana on July 12 and was transported from Lethem to the Guyana Livestock Development Authority’s (GLDA) breeding facility at Ebini. The Ministry of Agriculture had said the animals underwent veterinary inspections, testing and quarantine before export and would remain under veterinary supervision after arrival. The information has not been independently verified.

However, the programme has since become embroiled in controversy following reports that at least 15 pregnant heifers have died, including some while giving birth, resulting in the loss of unborn calves and millions of dollars in livestock. The deaths have prompted widespread calls for an independent investigation into the transport conditions, veterinary oversight and management of the importation, amid concerns that the losses may have been preventable.