Agriculture and Fisheries Minister, Hon. Pearnel Charles Jr, says that knowledge of the assets within Jamaica’s marine space is key in enabling the country to sustainably tap into the blue economy while protecting the marine ecosystem. “We have a massive marine space, which is primarily untapped and needs to be protected. It all comes down to really defining first what...

Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries (MOAF) Hon. Pearnel Charles Jr., says the Government is committed to achieving food security on the island. “Our goal is to ensure that we can achieve the ultimate goal of food security, meeting our local production demand and getting to the point where we can be able to support the expanding hotel industry, as well...

Approximately $99.6 million has been allocated to enhance resilience to climate change among targeted fishing and aquaculture communities in Jamaica, under the Promoting Community-Based Climate Resilience and the Fisheries Sector Project. Details of the provision are outlined in the 2022/2023 Estimates of Expenditure, now before the House of Representatives. Anticipated Physical Targets for 2022/2023 are the commencement of a final...

The Government of Jamaica has allocated $105 million for the rehabilitation of select facilities at the Bodles Research Station, which will directly impact the level of support given to farmers. Details of the project, which is being implemented by the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, are provided in the 2022/2023 Estimates of Expenditure, now before the House of Representatives. The...

Agriculture and Fisheries Minister, Hon. Pearnel Charles Jr., says steps are being taken to strengthen the fisheries sector as part of efforts to expand food options for consumers. This is against the backdrop of increased prices for animal protein, particularly poultry products, which have been impacted by supply chain disruptions, labour shortages, as well as increased costs for transportation, packaging...

The Senate today (Dec. 17) passed the Corrections (Amendment) Act, 2021 which will facilitate tighter control of prohibited articles being transported in and out of correctional facilities. The Bill, which seeks to amend the Corrections Act of 1985, as well as the Correctional Institution (Adult Correctional Centre) Rules, 1991 was tabled and passed in the lower House on December 14....

Persons requesting pest risk analysis services from the Plant Quarantine/Produce Inspection Branch of the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries are now required to do so through the Jamaica Single Window for Trade (JSWIFT) platform. “So, persons wishing to import a plant product that has not been imported into Jamaica before or you are importing a product that we have already...