Pest Risk Analysis Training Feb. 15-19
By: , February 16, 2016The Key Point:
Photo: Mark Bell
Head of Section, Economic and Social Development and Trade, Delegation of the European Union to Jamaica, Belize, The Bahamas, Turks and Caicos Islands and Cayman Islands, Achim Schaffert (left), in discussion with Senior Plant Quarantine Officer at the Agriculture and Fisheries Ministry, Fitzroy White. Occasion was the opening ceremony for the Pest Risk Analysis Training, at the Alhambra Inn, today (February 15).The Facts
- The objective is to sensitize stakeholders on the principles and procedures involved in pest risk analysis, and to provide a forum for discussion on a Pest Risk Analysis (PRA) handbook and PRA Decision Scheme for Jamaica.
- The training is organised by the Plant Quarantine/Produce Inspection Branch for plant quarantine officers, with funding from the European Union’s Development Fund Programme, which is managed by the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA).
The Full Story
The Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, through its Plant Quarantine/Produce Inspection Branch, is hosting a Pest Risk Analysis Training at the Alhambra Inn, in Kingston, from February 15 to 19.
The objective is to sensitize stakeholders on the principles and procedures involved in pest risk analysis, and to provide a forum for discussion on a Pest Risk Analysis (PRA) handbook and PRA Decision Scheme for Jamaica.
In his address, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, Donovan Stanberry, noted that with the increased trade in goods, the country is open to significant pest risks.
“We take this very seriously and the training is important, because every day the world changes and with the onset of climate change, diseases and pests which were not of economic importance, have now emerged. So, internal vigilance is the price that we have to pay for increased trade and movement of goods and services,” Mr. Stanberry said.
The Permanent Secretary said the Ministry will do all it can to put the Plant Quarantine/Produce Inspection Branch in a position to be able to effectively and efficiently safeguard the nation’s plants and status.
For his part, Senior Plant Quarantine Officer at the Ministry, Fitzroy White, said the workshop is expected to sensitise quarantine officers in the principle and methodology of pest analysis as the basis for establishing phytosanitary measures for Jamaica.
“We hope that you will garner enough knowledge to help us if we need to call on you in the near future, when we get too many PRAs to be done, because that is happening at the moment. So, we hope that you will be sufficiently comfortable to help us if the need arises and to keep the trade flowing smoothly,” Mr. White said.
The training is organised by the Plant Quarantine/Produce Inspection Branch for plant quarantine officers, with funding from the European Union’s Development Fund Programme, which is managed by the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA).