MEDIA RELEASE
Agriculture Minister: EMBD Investigating Claxton Bay Incident
The Minister of Agriculture, Land and Fisheries, Senator the Honourable Clarence Rambharat, said that the Estate Management and Business Development Company Limited (EMBD), is currently investigating the incident at Bellview Gardens, Claxton Bay. The Minister remarks came as he responded to a question in the Senate earlier today (Friday 17th September, 2021).
Reading directly from a correspondence written to the Minister of Energy and Energy Industries, the Honourable Stuart Young from the Chairman of the Estate Management and Business Development Company Limited (EMBD), Mr. Ronnie Mohammed dated September 15th, 2021. The Honourable Minister said, “EMBD personnel visited the area of the affected houses and reported that one house had collapsed and another appears to be moving and an internal investigation team was immediately assigned to investigate the complaints.”
He added: “This team comprised of a Quantity Surveyor, Project Manager, Security Manager and Land Surveyor as well as a representative from the Quarry Contractor and Operator. Given that the matter involves land slippage, the EMBD has also asked Mr. Charles Alleyne, a Geo-Technical Expert to conduct a site visit with EMBD personnel today (Friday 17th September, 2021) with a view of assisting with the investigations, in particular, on advising technically on the potential or the actual cause of the land slip. As of 15th September, 2021, the EMBD has halted all quarrying operations as a pre-cautionary measure pending these investigations. This is a Preliminary Report and we shall revert with you a more complete report once investigations into this matter proceed”.
The incident is very unfortunate Minister Rambharat said, and he has also asked the Ministry of Social Development and Family Services for its intervention in assisting the families of the area.
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Media Release- Agriculture Minister -EMBD Investigating Claxton Bay Incident
The deadline for submissions has been extended to Friday 3rd September 2021
Minister in the Ministry of Agriculture:
Local Pluck Shop Industry in a Good Place
Minister in the Ministry of Agriculture, Land and Fisheries, Senator the Honourable Avinash Singh said the local Poultry Cottage Processing Industry (Pluck shop Operators) is currently in a good place but with the continued efforts of all it involved it can be even better. He added, that the sector has the potential of becoming a model industry which other jurisdictions can follow.
The Minister was speaking at a virtual workshop titled “The Promotion of Food Safety and Meat Hygiene in the Poultry Cottage Industry in Trinidad and Tobago on Monday 23 August 2021 jointly hosted by the Food and Agriculture (FAO) of the United Nations and the University of the West Indies (UWI). He said despite the challenges of the COVID-19 Pandemic, the Agriculture Ministry has seen an increase in the number of pluck shop operators, especially in the rural areas in Trinidad and Tobago.
In our viewpoint, these are indeed encouraging signs, and it all goes well for the future and success of the industry.
The global Poultry Cottage Processing Industry itself has evolved over time, with new technology and improved food safety and hygiene practices being established. These are significant developments because it extends from the operational side, right down to the consumers who are the primary stakeholders, since they are the ones who trust the management processes at these various pluck shops and in so doing, making it a commercially viable entity, Minister Singh said.
The Minister also encouraged attendees to implement some of these new innovative practices into their own businesses, as it will assure them viability and success in the long term. Also making notable contributions at the workshop were, Mr. Reuben Robertson, FAO Representative for Trinidad and Tobago and Suriname and the University of the West Indies (UWI) and Dr. Saed Rahaman, Director Veterinary Public Health, Ministry of Health.
Note: The Local Pluck Shop Sector currently employs on average between 10- 15,000 persons and processes about 300,000 of the 800,000 chickens produced a week. Furthermore, data has also shown that between 35- 40% of all poultry produced in this country on an annual basis are marketed and sold through our local pluck shops.
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Contact: Corporate Communications -Ministry of Agriculture, Land and Fisheries
Email: comms.malf@gov.tt| Website: agriculture.gov.tt
MEDIA RELEASE
African Swine Fever Alert in the Caribbean Region
The Ministry of Agriculture, Land and Fisheries wishes to inform the national community that there has been an outbreak of African Swine Fever (ASF) in the Dominican Republic as reported on July 28th, 2021. The ASF is a highly contagious haemorrhagic viral disease found in pigs. It has a mortality (death) rate of up to 100% in pigs and can therefore have serious economic impacts in countries that rely heavily on pig production and pork exports.
At present, Trinidad and Tobago is FREE of the ASF disease and there is NO IMMEDIATE threat to the well-being of this country’s livestock production. Additionally, the Ministry of Agriculture, Land and Fisheries (MALF) encourages persons to continue their normal consumption patterns of pork and pork related products, as there are no health risks involved.
Both the MALF and the Ministry of Health (MoH) are collaborating in efforts to monitor the ongoing developments and will update the public as required.
The MALF is however advising persons to take the necessary measures and adhere to the following guidelines to prevent the entry of the African Swine Fever into the country.
How is African Swine Fever Spread?
This Transboundary Animal Disease (TAD) can be spread by live or dead pigs, and pork products. It can also be spread in food scraps and food waste generated by air and sea vessels. Transmission can also occur via contaminated feed and fomites (non-living objects) such as shoes, clothes, vehicles, knives, equipment etc., due to the high environmental resistance of the ASF virus. Individuals therefore have an important role in controlling the spread of ASF.
Treatment and Prevention
Currently there is no approved vaccine or treatment for ASF. Preventing entry of the disease relies heavily on strong border control and biosecurity measures that keep infected pigs and contaminated pork products out of Trinidad and Tobago. Ensuring that there is proper disposal of waste food from aircrafts, ships and vehicles and preventing the illegal entry of live pigs and pork products are therefore key national prevention measures.
Note:
- ASF is NOT a food borne human disease. Humans consuming pork products cannot contract the disease.
- The disease does NOT make humans ill and is not classified as a zoonotic disease.
- ASF can result in significant negative economic impacts and is a threat to national food security.
- The ASF virus is highly resistant in the environment and in pork products.
The movement of humans can also spread the disease to pigs.
- DO NOT FEED uncooked meat, restaurant and other human food waste and swill to pigs.
Multisectoral Collaboration
- The Ministry of Agriculture, Land and Fisheries (MALF) is the lead agency in this exercise.
- The MALF is working closely with the Ministry of Health (MoH) regarding the disposal of food waste generated on aircrafts, ships, pleasure crafts and other sea going vessels coming from countries with ASF.
- Other stakeholders and border agencies will also be engaged, including National Security (Coast Guard) and Customs and Excise Division along with the air and sea transportation agencies including, cargo carriers.
- Pig producers, farmers and members of the public also have important roles in the prevention of this disease.
As a member of the Public, What Can You Do?
- Do not buy or import illegal ‘live’ animals into the country.
- Do not buy or import illegal meat products or potentially contaminated items.
- Do not engage in the trade of illegal pork and pork products.
- Do not feed pigs uncooked human food waste.
- Dispose of ALL food waste in appropriate bins at the airport and at all ports of entry into Trinidad and Tobago.
- Contact the County Veterinary Office in your area if there are signs of ill health in pigs.
For additional information please visit the Ministry of Agriculture, Land and Fisheries website at https://agriculture.gov.tt/
