Seguridad alimentaria en alimentos de origen animal de la isla Santa Cruz Galápagos.

Abstract

This research work was completed by describing the current state of food security in terms of availability, consumption, and physical and economic access to food of animal origin (meat, fish, milk, dairy products, and eggs) sold and consumed in Santa Cruz Island, Galapagos. For this purpose, the survey technique was applied to a sample of 100 permanent residents of the island, using as an instrument a questionnaire of 20 closed questions, which estimated the origin of food, distribution, and frequency of consumption, among other parameters. In addition, visits were made to the locations of the supply chains from farm to consumption, where local actors were interviewed through an open dialogue. The results on the availability of food of animal origin show a constant risk of losing the island’s food sovereignty. Some of these types of food, such as those imported by air and sea from continental Ecuador, are at risk. This study shows how the inhabitants of the island lack guarantees in the quality and variety of their food in addition to having a medium socioeconomic level. Being an island, the food security of the territory is under constant threat, which must be corrected by the professionals who live there. Under this reality, the veterinarian's role lies in production control, sanitary inspection, and epidemiological surveillance of food as a contribution to society, thus, ensuring the consumers' health. Keywords: Food sovereignty, Territory, Galapagos, the Veterinarian Role.