Don’t expose crops to danger – Weir

Barbadians have been urged to go through the proper channels when bringing plants or seedlings into the country.

The caution has come from Minister of Agriculture and Food Security Indar Weir who said people who do not do the right thing, run the risk of unknowingly bringing harmful pests and viruses that could cause significant damage to plants and crops on the island.

In fact, Weir promised that with the passing of the new Plant Protection Bill, 2023, the process of importing plants and seedlings would become much easier.

While piloting the Bill in Parliament today, the agriculture minister warned that unsuspecting persons might inadvertently expose Barbados’ crops and plants to danger as they sought “to beat the system”.

He said it was of utmost importance that the island’s borders were protected from pests and viruses.

“I am very conscious of the fact that there are some persons who love pets and who keep certain types of plants, be it ornamentals or be it plants for food. Many times you have cases where they are exchanged either by a friend coming in and bringing in the suitcase, either the seeds or products from a plant, and they are not declared at the airport and not everything is going to be found.

“Those practices I am urging people to stop because we cannot afford to take the risk of bringing diseases or pests into this country that we are not going to be able to manage…I want to emphasise the fact that only the experts, the people who have the full knowledge in dealing with these things can tell you where to avoid and how to avoid and therefore it is incumbent upon everybody to please go through the system, do not try to beat the system…” Weir said.

The minister said the Bill would also expand trade opportunities for Barbados as it would bring the country’s legislation up to international standards.

“This legislation will make it far easier now for people to be able to bring in any amount of seeds from jurisdictions where we have clearance – plants, plant products, all of those things we are now going to be able to move far more seamlessly than we were [able to] before.

“But on the other side of it, as we were going to be able to trade easier, we are going to be able to export as well,” Weir said, while revealing that the ministry was in the process of working towards exporting sweet potatoes to the UK.

He regretted that the legislation had been more than 14 years in the works.

Weir also told the Chamber that food safety legislation would be coming “shortly” which would put importers and exporters in a good position to increase trade and explore new opportunities.

Minister of the Environment and National Beautification, Adrian Forde described the legislation as a “life changer”, saying it would improve the country’s stock profile.

“It allows us to have the variety that is needed…That is why it is important for us to have these biosecure and protective measures by this Plant Protection Bill. It makes sense, not only scientific sense but good old Bajan common sense,” Forde said. (RB)