Notice of Change Under the Tenth Schedule Regulations 28

Animal (Diseases, Importation, Health and Welfare) Act

 

Please be informed that THE ANIMAL (DISEASES AND IMPORTATION) (AMENDMENT) BILL, now the ANIMAL (DISEASES, IMPORTATION, HEALTH AND WELFARE) ACT, takes effect on Tuesday June 1^st 2021, after being Proclaimed by Her Excellency, Paula Mae Weeks, President of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago to bring the new provisions into law.

As a result of the new Act, the following will take effect under the TENTH SCHEDULE Regulation 28:

 

1. Inspection Fees (Payable to the Comptroller of Customs and Excise):

 

(a) For every Horse or Mare – $20.00

(b) For every Donkey, Cattle or Mule – $10.00

(c) For every Goat, Pig or Sheep -$5.00 per animal or $50.00 per consignment whichever is the lesser;

(d) For every Dog, Cat or other animal other than those provided for in paragraphs (a) to (c) $10.00

 

2. Overtime Fees (Payable to the Inspector):

 

(d) Mondays to Fridays: —

(i) between 4.00 p.m. and 10.00 p.m. – $800.00 per consignment;

(ii) between 10.00 p.m. and 8:00 a.m. – $1000.00 per consignment;

 

(e) On Saturdays, Sundays and Public Holidays – $1000.00 per consignment.

 

3. Import Permit Fees (Payable to the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry to which Agriculture has been assigned):

 

(a) Live Animals – $100.00

(b) Carcasses and animal products imported under Regulations 18, 20 and 21 for commercial use – $100.00

 

4. Export Permit Fees (Payable to the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry to which Agriculture has been assigned):

 

(a) Export Permit – $50.00

(b) Endorsement – $50.00

 

5. Permit Re-issue Fee (payable to the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry to which Agriculture has been assigned):

 

(a) Re-issue of a Permit – $150.00

 

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_{Rambharat: Food Basket Distribution Fair, Above Board}

May 19, 2021 — Minister of Agriculture, Land and Fisheries Clarence Rambharat on Wednesday described as “pathetic” allegations of bias and unfairness in the government’s covid-relief food basket initiative by the Opposition United National Congress (UNC).

“I wish to say that any allegations of impropriety are without basis and totally unsupported by the facts,” Minister Rambharat said. “The facts will show that during a May 10 press conference hosted by the Honourable Minister of Finance, the government extended the food basket programme until July, and possibly the end of September, effectively doubling the number of families who would benefit. The facts will also show that of the initial allotment of 25,000 relief packages, roughly 52 percent have been distributed to UNC constituencies as of today—52 percent.”

According to distribution data supplied by the National Agricultural Marketing and Development Corporation (NAMDEVCO), 13 out of 19 UNC MPs had already received packages for more than 300 families in each of their constituencies by May 19, just two weeks after the programme was announced. They include Couva North MP Ravi Ratiram who has so far collected more than 400 food packages based on a list of 400 names he originally submitted to NAMDEVCO, and Barataria/San Juan MP Saddam Hosein who received 200 packages precisely because his original list had 200 names.

When disaggregated, the data also show that some 12,000 families across all 41 constituencies had received food packages by late Wednesday, with another 735 packages going to a number of NGOs for distribution.

“It is regrettable that I have to break out the numbers to prove which constituency got what, Minister Rambharat said. “But the UNC is once again engaged in cheap politics at a time when the entire country is hurting.”

While the pandemic continues to impact the local and global economy, Minister Rambharat is assuring the country that the government remains committed to providing for all citizens across all constituencies who need support under the food relief programme.

 

Ten (10) farmers benefit from MALF’s beekeeping training course in Ecclesville

NAMDEVCO begins Food Basket Distribution Drive

7th May, 2021: Earlier today, the National Agricultural and Marketing and Development Corporation (NAMDEVCO) began the distribution of food baskets to needy communities throughout the country. This initiative comes following an announcement by the Prime Minister, The Honourable, Dr. Keith Rowley on Monday 3rd May, 2021.

The first set of local veggie, fruit packages were delivered to eight (8) Constituencies by NAMDEVCO to 2,000 families. Each of the recipients received three (3) NAMDEVCO packages containing sweet potato, dasheen, cassava, plantain, squash, pineapple, citrus, pawpaw, cucumbers, bodi, sweet pepper, hot pepper and tomatoes. Additionally, they also receivedpackage with two (2) locally processed chickens.

In the coming weeks approximately 25,000 families in all forty-one (41) constituencies are expected to receive these NAMDEVCO food packages.

Ministry Monitoring Heavy Rainfall in Farming Communities

The Ministry of Agriculture, Land and Fisheries is currently monitoring the recent impact of heavy rainfall in the farming communities across the country.  With the persistent rainfall since around 2 am this morning, areas such as Penal/Debe and other Southern Districts are being constantly monitored by Mr. David Ram, Ag. Director and his team at the Regional Administration South (RAS).

At present, the Ministry can report that there have been no reports of flooding up to this point and while the watercourses are filled, they are not overflowing. There have been reports though, that some farms in low lying areas, have been accumulating water in their respective drainage.

A point to note is that the Poodai Lagoon in Penal, the same area which was affected by flooding in March 2021, has already accumulated water with the persistent rainfall.

The Agriculture Ministry will continue to liaise with the Disaster Management Units of the Ministry of Rural Development and Local Government and will continue to monitor the ongoing situation. We stand ready to provide the necessary assistance to the various communities should the need arise.

MALF partakes in St. Vincent & the Grenadines Disaster Relief Drive

As part of its humanitarian response to those affected by the natural disaster in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, the Ministry of Agriculture, Land and Fisheries (MALF), embarked on a collection drive, in which all members of staff, were encouraged to support the initiative.

To this end, collection boxes were strategically placed across the Ministry’s various Divisions over the last couple weeks, where they were individually delivered and subsequently packaged by staff of the Corporate Communications Unit for dispatch. Items received included canned foods, dried foods, milk, sugar, flour, water and a host of hygienic items including hand sanitizers, soap, toothpaste, shampoo, conditioner, deodorant, body lotion and bathroom / kitchen tissue.

On hand to view the collected items earlier today (Friday 30th April, 2021), were the Permanent Secretary (Ag.), Ms. Susan Shurland; Corporate Communications Manager, Mr. Dominic Hinds and Administrative Officer II (Property Management Unit), Ms. Nisha Alsaran-Ramsawak.

The Collection Boxes will be delivered to a drop off point in Chaguanas later today, en route to St. Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG).

The Ministry sincerely thanks its staff for their heartfelt generosity, as we continue, in a spirit of camaraderie and goodwill, to assist our regional neighbours, during their time of need.

Agriculture Minister: Seven (7) months minimum to receive State Leases

April 27, 2021:- Persons have already received State Leases within a minimum period of seven (7) months. This according to the Minister of Minister of Agriculture, Land and Fisheries, Senator the Honourable Clarence Rambharat as he addressed recipients at three (3), separate, lease letter distribution ceremonies earlier today (April 27^th 2021) at the Ministry’ Head Office in Chaguanas.  A total of fifteen (15) persons received their letters in respect to thirteen (13) agricultural and two (2) residential leases.

In his remarks, Minister Rambharat also said that land files which previously took over twenty (20) years to be processed, were “moving along much faster” in recent times. He said the main contributing factor to this development was the ability of persons to “follow-up on their own business”. To this end, he reminded   recipients of the need to be diligent, so as to ensure that their survey plans are approved in a timely manner, because there have been instances where persons waited “up to twenty-five (25) years” before having them done. Furthermore, he added that there have been errors requiring amendments (plot numbers, acreage details and spelling of names) and covenant breaches (encroachments and improper use of land) to leases. All of these he said, significantly contributed to inordinate delays which may have otherwise been avoided through self-discipline and one’s own vigilance.

“I have done my part and will never see this file again so the duty rests upon you to keep abreast of your respective matter and now that you have a [lease] letter, signed by me, stating that Cabinet has granted your lease approval, you have the authority to follow-up and see it through till the end”, the Minister said.

The attendees were also duly reminded by the Agriculture Minister of the Ministry’s policy that agricultural land remain in agriculture. He added that the Ministry of Agriculture, Land and Fisheries was “very reluctant” to sub-divide agricultural plots since there were many individuals who were currently abusing a system which was primarily designed to put these lands into productive use.

“The Government wants to make the land available to people who will actually produce and in cases where persons are allowed to live; they will be able to do so comfortably but what we will do is not allow anyone to treat with these lands as though they are their birth right, nor will we enable anyone to become a real estate agent for the State’s property.” Minister Rambharat said.