The plant quarantine unit of the Ministry of Agriculture is making a strong appeal to the general public to adhere to the strict requirements for the importation of agricultural produce and products into the island as a means of keeping exotic pests away.
Over the last decade, Dominica as most of the Caribbean region has seen the rapid introduction of exotic pests and diseases including the Black Sigatoka, which has impacted negatively on the agricultural sector.
Ryan Anselm, head of the plant quarantine unit is calling on all those involved to cooperate with the laws as it relates to importation of agricultural produce, as non- compliance can result in significant economic losses for Dominica.
”We are urging and appealing to all to refrain from bringing any planting material, any agricultural produce, without the import permit given by the Plant quarantine department of the Ministry of Agriculture. These diseases sometimes come without natural control, these pests come without natural enemies and can cause serious economic problems to Dominica’s agriculture sector” Anselm said.
The general public has been asked to contact the plant quarantine unit at telephone number 266-3803 before any planting material is imported into the country.
“One can get the application for import permit on the Government website. Please work with us as our sole purpose is for us to maintain our agricultural sector, prevent pest and disease from entering. We need to ensure that farmers can be productive on our fields which will allow Dominica to maintain food security and to export for economic earnings.”
Meanwhile the Ministry of Agriculture over the past several months has spent significant resources in the management of the Black Sigatoka disease and the Citrus Greening Disease, which caused havoc in the country’s Agriculture Industry.
Anselm says farmers need to continue to take measures to keep the dreaded disease from spreading.
“We are also urging the farmers to continue the fight against the Black Sigatoka and I want everyone in Dominica to take the necessary management strategy very serious to manage Black Sigatoka because if we don’t do these things right and we do it on time Black Sigatoka will wipe out the banana and plantain sub sector.
Anselm appealed to farmers and hucksters to desist from moving trash and leafing materials from one area to another as this is a risky undertaking.
The Plant quarantine unit is currently reviewing the Plant Protection Act of 1986 to include invasive species which are not current part of the legislation.