Ministry Of Agriculture Spearheading Another Campaign Aimed at Keeping Destructive Pests Away
Basseterre, St. Kitts, June 27, 2022 (SKNIS): The overwhelming majority of pests entry into countries is as a result of passenger traffic, which, while not as prevalent today due to the COVID-19 pandemic, will however be even more important going forward as the world rebounds and seeks to open up.
Crops Programme Leader in the Department of Agriculture, Ian Chapman said that the Don’t Pack A Pest Programme is a joint effort between The United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Services and the Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis’ Agricultural Department.
The goal of the partnership is to educate not only travellers but the general public at large on the dangers associated with transporting certain foods, plants and agricultural products in their luggage.
National Coordinator for the Don’t Pack a Pest Traveler Outreach Programme in the United States, Heather Crulet, stated that “Through this unique programme, we are able to work together to protect vulnerable agricultural and natural resources not only in our own countries but far beyond.
The USDA’s animal and plant health inspection services include partnerships with Caribbean countries such as the Dominican Republic, Jamaica, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago, U.S. Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Turks and Caicos, Puerto Rico and Saint Lucia.
On 7th June, a signage proposal was held to determine where the signs would be located in the ports of entry of the Federation.