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| Ms Barbara Whitman of Under the Sea (right) shows a slipper lobster to Ms Dannielle Hayes (left), Mr Tyrone O’Flaherty and Ms Margie Benzier Photo Provided |
Charlestown Nevis (March 11, 2004) The Agriculture Department in the Nevis Island Administration has launched an educational drive for the general public and in particular, stakeholders in the agricultural sector in connection to the Giant African Snail.
The launch which began earlier today with a seminar at the Pinneys Trade Center, saw persons from the customs department, the health department, the veterinary department and farmers being educated on the nature, the biology and the management of the giant African snail.
Assistant Director of Agriculture, Mr. Keithley Amory who described the seminar as very important, said that the world was coming to grips as they fought against various pests and diseases of quarantine importance. He also said that the island of Nevis has been fortunate in that none of the diseases had reached it.
“The pest of concern today, is the giant African snail, which like other exotic pests can enter the island on imported cargo,” said Amory. “It is reported to be a major agricultural pest and at a time when the department of Agriculture is trying to improve agricultural production, its introduction on the island can be devastating.”
He welcomed all to the seminar and pointed out that the pest poses serious health risk and that reports have indicated that the pest was near to our shores. He mentioned the islands of St. Martin and St. Lucia - countries that the citizens trade with and visit quite a bit.
In giving brief remarks, Junior Minister of Agriculture, the Hon Livingston Herbert observed that the government, through the Agriculture Department had expended tremendous time, effort and money in the control of exotic pests over a number of years.
“We have had the pink mealy bug, we have had the white fly and so on, and if we have to use limited financial resources, limited human resources to control these pests, then certainly something will be left unattended,” commented Herbert. “Whenever we have limited resources, I believe that the best way to manage those resources, particularly in light of potential threat, is to ensure that we prevent, restrict or control the entry of those pests into our island.”
Minister Herbert who deemed the seminar to be a seminar in which the participants will become proactive, expressed, “We will educate ourselves in terms of the biology and the management of the pest and being able to identify the pest. It is important for all of us, particularly those of us who are at the front line, to ensure that we do not allow the pest to enter our island.”
Dr David Robinson, one of the facilitators of the seminar expressed his appreciation on behalf of the other facilitators. He noted that the main purpose of the visit was to raise awareness among all of the participants so that they can start the initiation process of having a corresponding awareness among the general public.
The other facilitators of the seminar are Dr Angela Fields and Mr. William Tan. The seminar was held in collaboration with FAO, the United States Department of Agriculture and the University of the West Indies.
