Latest update January 1st, 2025 1:00 AM
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Plans afoot to revamp animal, plant quarantine sections at ports
Facing the possibilities of locally produced items being sidelined by international markets, authorities yesterday announced plans to drastically improve security at the country’s ports to reduce the possibility of pests and diseases entering and leaving the country.
With the recent passage of the Plant Protection and Seeds Act and significant changes to the Animal Health Bill, government essentially will be moving to stem the unauthorized entry and export of plants, animals and seeds, among other things. This will entail more training, the possible authorization of Customs Officers to seize suspected items, and more visibility for Quarantine officers.
During a meeting with stakeholders at the Ministry of Agriculture yesterday, Minister Robert Persaud warned that the issue has to do with national security, as food will be under threat unless the matter is addressed. He likened the matter to a gun being placed in a suitcase and passing security checks.
The Minister admitted that the current checking system is porous…a worrying factor that will now demand increased inter-agency cooperation.
With Guyana now moving to increase its non-traditional exports, including beef and aquaculture, not moving to improve the current system could jeopardize the country’s export diversification plans, with import countries even blacklisting it.
According to Persaud, another crucial factor is that Guyana has signed on with international trade body, the World Trade Organization (WTO) which calls for increased regulations to ensure that food and other produce are verified to come from safe sources.
But issues like increased security at the borders including at the Lethem/Brazil boundary will need to be addressed.
The Minister warned that the invasion of pests could potentially devastate Guyana and harm its food credibility, a position that it has desperately fought for and earned.
Earlier, Willem Marsman, the Ministry’s consultant on the country’s export diversification programme, warned that Guyana will have to change, with systems at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport needing vast improvements.
Coupled with this is the porous border system, illegal crossings at Berbice, and largely unmonitored borders in Essequibo.
It was noted that there will be a need for more tools, testing equipment and increased cooperation between Customs and the Ministry’s Quarantine officials.
Marsman questioned current systems where food is brought into the country but not handled properly which could effectively still allow a slippage into the system.
Issues like how ships and aircraft calling in Guyana get rid of garbage will have to be addressed also.
Stakeholders at yesterday’s meeting at the Agri Ministry to discuss possible new measures to ensure the safety of food entering and leaving the country.
Government is now mulling the possibility of building incinerators.
The meeting, which was held at the Ministry, included representatives from the National Agricultural Research and Extension Institute (NAREI), the police, Customs, Ministry of Health, the Cheddi Jagan International Airport.
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