Measures in Place to Prevent Entry of Pests

The Plant Quarantine Produce Inspection (PQPI) Unit is assuring the public that there are robust measures in place to mitigate the entry of pests into the island.

A unit within the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining, the PQPI is mandated to ensure that only the highest quality, pest-free cut flowers and fresh produce are exported from and imported into the island.

Speaking with JIS News, Identifier/Entomologist in the PQPI Unit in Kingston, Karen Barrett Christie, said there are strict quarantine rules and regulations to ensure that persons do not carry pests into the country.

“To address those issues at our airports and at our seaports, we have quarantine officers that are present at those locations. When the passengers are coming off the vessels, there are announcements to tell them that they are not to take anything off – any fruits and vegetables off the ship, or off the aircraft. We also have amnesty bins in our international airport,” she pointed out.

Mrs. Barrett Christie is urging persons who travel to use these bins to prevent the entry of pests.

“If you have fruits and vegetables, leave them in these bins. We have been ramping up our public awareness as it relates to the threat of insect pests coming into the country and one of the efforts is to put these amnesty bins at our ports of entry, which include Norman Manley and at Sangster International. There is also the Don’t Pack a Pest Programme that we have, which encourages travellers not to bring anything with them when they travel,” she told JIS News.

The PQPI is Jamaica’s first line of defence against the introduction of exotic pests and diseases.

The Unit functions under the legal framework of the Agricultural Produce Act 1926 and the Plants (Quarantine) Act, 1993.

For further information, persons can contact the PQPI Head Office at 876-977-0637 or 876-977-6401; the Norman Manley Airport Office at 876-924-8754, 876-924-8736 or 876-924-8865; and the Montego Bay Office at 876- 427- 5070.