Plant Quarantine Act Modernisation Nearing Completion

The Plant Quarantine/Produce Inspection Branch is one step closer to completing the process of modernising the Plant Quarantine Act, to make it more comprehensive in dealing with protection and quarantine issues.

Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, Hon. Pearnel Charles Jr, said this amendment will result in Jamaica having a modern Plant Health Act, in accordance with international standards.

“The draft modern Plant Health Bill is now undergoing its final technical review before being returned to the Attorney General’s Department for a further review and approval [and] proceeding to the next round of consultations,” Mr. Charles said.

He was addressing a recent Plant Quarantine Exporters’ Forum at the Ministry’s offices in Kingston.

Mr. Charles indicated that this effort emphasises the Ministry’s commitment to developing plant health and maintaining a sustainable export sector that benefits all stakeholders.

Meanwhile, the Minister said agriculture remains an important source of income for small-island nations.

He noted that while exporters continue to find new markets and maintain existing ones for Jamaican produce, the Ministry is playing a pivotal role in paving the way to access these new markets, improving service profiles to bring efficiency to the export sector, and providing technical support that is required along the way.

“The Ministry, along with the Plant Quarantine/Produce Inspection Branch, is committed to taking the most natural route to improve the services provided to our internal and external stakeholders,” Mr. Charles said.

He assured that the Ministry remains committed to maintaining an efficient process, aimed at protecting Jamaica’s agriculture whilst ensuring that only the highest quality pest-free produce is exported from and imported into the country.