Disease in isolated banana fields prompts Suriname to bar Guyana’s agri produce

Aug 22, 2009 News

Disease management strategies in place – Minister Persaud

An unidentified disease has been found in isolated banana fields locally, but according to Agriculture Minister Robert Persaud, the situation is not at a level which has impacted banana production negatively.
The Minister’s disclosure has come in response to a decision made by the Surinamese authorities to close routes across the Corentyne River to protect their agricultural sector.
Reports had reached this newspaper earlier this week that news reports in Suriname had revealed that certain produce, including fruits and vegetables, were being barred from entry into the Dutch-speaking territory.
In fact it was disclosed that it has been close to a week that this action had been engaged by the Surinamese immigration authority.
The situation has left a number of persons in a quandary, particularly those who normally sell the now barred items to the neighbouring Republic.
But in a release issued yesterday titled ‘Agri. Ministry rejects reason for closure of Border to Agricultural Trade’, the Minister noted that the development was brought to the attention of the Ministry of Agriculture through the English Bulletin of the newspaper De Ware Tijd, August 20, 2009, edition.
According to the Minister, the reason advanced by the Surinamese Authorities is because the disease is suspected to be rampant in Guyana and can devastate Suriname’s agricultural sector, a revelation the Minister has rejected.
Persaud related that the disease is currently being monitored by local and international technical staff. He highlighted that collaborative efforts between the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA) Guyana, IICA Suriname and CHF have resulted in some scientific work being done in advancing the understanding of the disease, but added that the study does not confirm the Surinamese action.
“This work has been unable to definitively identify and confirm the disease-causing agent, but has made claims to have done so,” the Minister noted.
Notwithstanding, he added that a series of disease management strategies have been put in place in Guyana to minimize the incidence of the disease and reduce its impact on production. These strategies he said are also applicable to all agricultural materials entering cross border trade.
“I have since directed the Chief Crops and Livestock Officer and the Technical Manager of the Plant Health Services to travel to Suriname tomorrow (today) to hold discussions with counterparts on ensuring effective cross border PhytoSanitary measures.
“I wish to encourage Surinamese authorities to work with us and to take all measures to ensure there is no disruption in cross border trade with unaffected agricultural produce. I intend to hold further discussions with my counterpart Minister of Agriculture of Suriname, Hon. K. Stanley Raghoebarsing on Tuesday in Paramaribo on this matter and other related issues.”

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Disease in isolated banana fields prompts Suriname to bar Guyana’s agri produce

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