ETIS Training Courses Suspended Until Further Notice

The monthly training courses conducted by the Extension Training and Information Services (ETIS) Division has been suspended until further notice. The MALF will inform interested persons on the resumption of the programme, once confirmation is received on the available dates, times and proposed venue locations via its Facebook page and website (www.agriculture.gov.tt ).

We apologize for any inconvenience caused. The Ministry thank you again for your continued support and participation at these training courses.

19^th March, 2020

Changes to the Regional Administration North (RAN)

Daily Business Operations

The Regional Administration North (RAN) of the Ministry of Agriculture, Land and Fisheries announces the following changes to its daily business operations.

Business Hours for County Offices:

St. Andrew/St. David County Office 8am -12pm

Caroni County Office 8am – 4pm

St. George West County Office 8am – 4pm

St. George East County Office 7am – 3pm

To view contact information for the above offices, please click on the following link:

https://agriculture.gov.tt/divisions-units/divisions/regional-administration-north/

The public is also reminded to take note of the following services:

Regulatory services e.g. Farmers Registration and Incentives will be provided to farmers visiting the offices;

State Land services will be available;
Wednesday ‘Office Day’ will be maintained until further notice;
Extension officers will continue with farm visits, clients will however be notified in advance;

Members of public are kindly advised to call the respective office in advance, so that appointments can be made. However, there will be systems in place for walk-in customers;

All training courses/meetings/ gatherings with farmers groups have been postponed;
Bee Abatement Service, please call 687-3945.

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MEDIA RELEASE

Plant Quarantine adjusts services for Plant Import Permits

18^th March, 2020: In light of national guidelines recently issued to safeguard the health and safety of the nation’s citizenry in relation to the global COVID-19 pandemic, the Plant Quarantine (PQ) Unit wishes to advise members of the public of the following adjustments beginning 16th March, 2020 and continuing in the first instance until 30th April, 2020.

Only Online Import Permit Applications via TTbizlink will be accepted and processed during this period.
Approved Plant Import Permits will be e-mailed to the applicants. There will be no collection of Plant Import Permits at PQ, Centeno.

While the PQ Unit stands ready to facilitate the full range of services offered, in line with social distancing recommendations intended to minimize the spread of COVID-19, the public is advised to refrain from accessing any non-essential services at this time.

The PQ Unit apologizes for any inconvenience caused as a result of these measures. Clients who require other services are required to contact the PQ Office via telephone:

(642-0718) or email (plantquarantine.centeno@fp.gov.tt) to initiate those services.

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Malicious Facebook post regarding COVID-19 at the Ministry of Agriculture

March 13, 2020: In reference to a malicious Facebook post in the form of two questions directed to the Honourable Minister late on Friday March 13, 2020 regarding COVID-19 at the Ministry, the Ministry denies the allegations made in the form of those questions. Specifically, the poster Suzette Louwe asks whether a worker in the Accounts Department was quarantined today and if “she was tested positive or not for coronavirus”. The questions are malicious are intended to create fear and panic among Ministry staff, their families and the wider public. The Ministry recognizes that given its size, diversity, geographic spread across the country, and the extent to which many employees including the Minister himself interface with the public, there is heightened risk of exposure to the virus. Our agencies including ADB and Namdevco have taken steps to mitigate these risks and the Ministry has done the same. We continue to monitor what is taking place globally and what is happening in our country. The MALF is very cognizant of the existing climate as it relates to COVID-19 and as has initiated several protocol measures to protect our employees should any situation arise. We have partnered with Sanitec Limited a reputable provider of decontamination, sterilization and disposal services to respond to any situation our employees face regarding COVID-19. Sanitec already has a relationship with the Ministry’s Plant Quarantine Department and the Sugarcane Feed Centre.

We will continue to work closely with all our stakeholders to ensure that the health and safety of our employees and their families are no way compromised.

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Contact: Corporate Communications – Ministry of Agriculture, Land and Fisheries

Email:<A HREF=”mailto:comms.malf@gov.tt”>comms.malf@gov.tt</A>comms.malf@gov.tt

Health Safety Measures at Farmers Markets and other markets

The National Agricultural Marketing and Development Corporation (NAMDEVCO) operates Farmers Markets across the country as well as Wholesale Markets at Debe and Macoya. While the Corporation has food safety and health measures in place at all its markets, specific measures have been heightened to deal with risks associated with COVID-19.
In particular, NAMDEVCO has done the following:
1. Space allocations at all Farmers Markets are being expanded and in particular areas for customers to walk and make their purchases are being widened. This would reduce the risk of crowding and human contact among customers and vendors;
2. Similarly, spacing and walking areas at the Farmers Wholesale Markets are being expanded as far as practicable to minimize human contact and to avoid crowding;
3. All vendors have been advised of the basic Public Health measures that have to be adhered to given the COVID-19 risks;
4. NAMDEVCO employees as well as Public Health officers, from the Ministry of Health would be monitoring all our facilities for adherence to these basic measures;
5. While COVID-19 is not known to be a food borne illness, NAMDEVCO is emphasizing usual good practice regarding the handling of produce throughout the food chain are essential for public health and the Corporation is taking all measures for the prevention and control of any infectious diseases;
6. Farmers are being advised that produce that is usually consumed without cooking must be bagged before being offered for sale. This includes items normally eaten raw like lettuce, kale, tomatoes,cucumbers and all fruits, whether or not the skins are consumed.
7. Vendors are required to wear masks, gloves and eyewear while handling foodstuff;
8. Customers are encouraged through appropriately placed signage to use hand sanitizer that is being made available at all facilities where sale of produce and other food products are conducted;
9. Consumers are being advised to properly wash all fruits and vegetables before consumption. We cannot overemphasize the importance of proper handwashing before, after and during food preparation activities in the home and workplace.
Alongside these measures, NAMDEVCO is in contact with its stakeholders particularly farmers. Based on NAMDEVCO’s Farm Certification and Monitoring data, approximately 1600 farms are currently in active production and a list of current food supplies based on the major food groups has been collected. Details of agricultural produce which cannot be exported are also being collected by the Corporation, so that proper marketing programmes can be set up in the domestic market.
While COVID-19 has affected the agricultural sector in some parts of the world, it also represents an opportunity to change production and business methods to adapt to new challenges and difficulties. Persons who are handling food and produce at non-NAMDEVCO markets are also being advised to make every attempt to wash their hands with soap and water every hour.
Along with the Ministry of Agriculture, Land and Fisheries, the Corporation will be deploying its’ trained field officers to support the ongoing investigations and agriculture-based livelihood assessments, in its efforts to inform further response to alleviate the risks of COVID-19. We invite you to contact us through Facebook, via email and phone for any further information.

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Concerns of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) and its effect on food production and supply.

March 13, 2020:- The Ministry of Agriculture, Land and Fisheries (MALF) has been monitoring the latest developments with COVID-19 globally and in particular:

the potential risks to our farmers, their families and communities as well as the Ministry’s own employees, families and those of its agencies;
the potential risks of COVID-19 on food and other incoming shipments related to agriculture out of China and elsewhere;
the potential impact of any disruptions in shipping routines, particularly out of the United States of America (USA) involving hatching eggs for the local poultry sector; grain including wheat for milling into flour; other meats and dairy; oils; peas and beans; and fruits and vegetables;
the potential disruption or delays in the shipping arrangements for seeds, chemicals, equipment, packaging from various global sources; and
the risks of COVID-19 on domesticated animals and wildlife;

In relation to the import risks we have been monitoring, our Animal Health officers who issue permits for the import of meat, meat products, poultry hatching eggs, table eggs, milk, milk products, cheese, cheese products etc, are working closely with importers and other agencies to expedite internal processes as much as possible with the goal that regular supplies to T&T’s consumers are maintained.

If there are potential interruptions in traditional supplies, our officers would assist importers in their search for new sources which meet local requirements, in order to satisfy the food/meat protein needs of our population.

Additionally, all possible avenues are also being considered for online/remote trade process facilitation in light of current concerns and workplace trends.

We already know that local poultry producers are facing increased costs of input as inland USA transport is affected by shortages of labour and equipment supplies. Alternative transport is being sourced at higher prices. As far as possible, we continue to encourage our stakeholders to manage input costs and overheads in the interest of the consumers.

Apart from these areas of concern, our agency, The National Agricultural Marketing and Development Corporation (NAMDEVCO) operates Farmers Markets across the country as well as Wholesale Markets at Debe and Macoya. While the Corporation has food safety and health measures in place at all its markets, specific measures have been heightened to deal with risks associated with COVID-19. NAMDEVCO has implemented measures to increase spacing at its markets; to prevent crowding and overcrowding; and to ensure that all vendors are aware of the basic Public Health measures that have to be adhered to given the COVID-19 risks. NAMDEVCO employees as well as Public Health officers, from the Ministry of Health would be monitoring all our facilities for adherence to these basic measures. Customers are also encouraged through appropriately placed signage to use hand sanitizer that is being made available at all facilities where sale of produce and other food products are conducted.

Along with NAMDEVCO, the Ministry of Agriculture, Land and Fisheries, has deployed its trained officers to support the ongoing investigations and agriculture-based livelihood assessments, in its efforts to inform further response to alleviate the risks of COVID-19.

We will continue to closely monitor ongoing developments as it relates to COVID -19 and will provide periodic updates via press releases and the Ministry’s Facebook Page.

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