Fusarium Wilt Tropical Race 4 (TR4)
FUSARIUM OXYSPORUM F. SP. CUBENSE (E.F. SMITH),
FUNGI: ASCOMYCOTA: SORDARIOMYCETES

 

INTRODUCTION

Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. cubense Tropical Race 4 (Foc TR4) is a strain of fungus that causes Fusarium wilt of bananas. It infects most varieties of banana cultivars but is known predominantly for attacking Cavenish, the most widely cultivated variety in the world. More than 80% of global banana and plantain production is thought to be based on TR4 susceptible germplasm. If unchecked, Foc TR4 can wipe out an entire plantation.

 

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Invasion of protected forested areas

Shaliza Hassanali

shaliza.hassanali

@guardian.co.tt

Managing director of the Environmental Management Authority (EMA) Hayden Romano says state agencies should develop policy position to end squatting and land grabbing.

“People are saying the (state) agencies need to take action…and I am saying the agencies need to take action with a policy position.”

Romano said that policy position should not change when a new government takes office.

He made his comments against the backdrop of encroachment on environmentally-sensitive lands at Matura, Aripo and Nariva which the EMA safeguards.

Those lands are under the jurisdiction of the Commissioner of State Lands (COSL).

Romano said the COSL has the power to either serve a quit notice to an illegal occupier or demolish any unauthorised strictures built after 1998 in environmentally sensitive areas.

When the EMA Act was introduced in 1995 and amended in 2000, it was merely “to convince people to do the right thing,” he said.

Two decades later, the EMA faces serious challenges as droves of people are encroaching on forested State lands in Aripo along the Valencia Stretch and a farmer has moved into lands in Nariva.

Quit notices were served to the illegal occupiers before the arrival of the COVID-19 pandemic. Squatters are prohibited from entering protected forested areas.

“We have been talking with the Commissioner of State Lands and Forestry Division,” Romano said.

The EMA has considered using a drone to see how prevalent squatting and land grabbing have become within the three protected areas so they can take action.

Romano said: “Squatting is a big challenge. It is not a challenge that can be handled only by the EMA. We definitely have to get all the agencies involved.”

He said squatting and illegal quarrying have been increasing but T&T doesn’t “have a good handle on it. It is something that we need to bring on the front burner.”

The EMA said when an illegal structure is demolished, the public tends to sympathise with the lawbreakers, especially if they have children and nowhere to go.

“So really, the social issues come out,” he said.

These issues take priority over environmental concerns.

“So how do we balance that? This is our challenge,” he said.

“There are lots of reports of increased squatting.

“It is all over the country. And there is no control.”

 

https://guardian.co.tt/news/invasion-of-protected-forested-areas-6.2.1148490.404e9864a7

1^st July, 2020: Animal Welfare Bill passed! Piloting in the House of Representatives a short time ago the Animal (Diseases and Importation) (Amendment) Bill, 2019. This Bill also known as the Animal Welfare Bill amends 19 sections of the 65 year old Act and introduces 9 new sections including for the first time specific provisions dealing with Animal Welfare Standards.

The Bill also sets fines up to $200,000 for animal abuse and cruelty and a range of offences related to the proper care and treatment of domestic animals. On the commercial side the Bill introduces specific provisions dealing with meat and animal imports and exports; measures to respond to animal disease outbreaks and manage the business of livestock farming across the country.

Finally, the Bill created an Animal Welfare Advisory Committee to advise the Minister responsible for animals on all aspects of Animal Welfare. This Bill was already passed unanimously in the Senate in May 2020.

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