Floyd Green Says Jamaica Tightening Checks Amid US Cyclosporiasis Scare

Agriculture Minister Floyd Green says Jamaica has succeeded in staying clear of disease outbreaks, including cyclosporiasis, and intends to maintain that record. "We want to keep it that way," he said, adding that if the danger outweighs the demand, the authorities will take whatever steps are required.

Anxiety has grown after the intestinal infection surfaced in the United States of America, which ranks among Jamaica’s principal sources of imported goods.

Speaking with CVM, Green said, "Jamaica does have a very robust phytosanitary system for the importation of everything, especially plant products and that's managed by our plant quarantine division. So, now that the plant quarantine division has been made aware of the outbreak then we have already heightened vigilance. The good news is that we are not extremely exposed because in normal times we do a fairly good job of providing all our vegetables."

He noted, though, that the ministry recognises the severe dry conditions now affecting the island. "That dry spell normally affects our leafy greens more than some of the other vegetable forms. And as such, people will come to the ministry, especially where they need a consistent supply of leafy greens, and may ask for the importation of those items. Clearly now that we have all the information, we will be very vigilant in terms of where they source from, will be vigilant in terms of the phytosanitary requirements that they have to withstand that they have to meet in order for them to be able to get permission to bring in those items."