ePhyto is short for “electronic phytosanitary certificate”. An ePhyto is the electronic equivalent of a paper –based phytosanitary certificate with all relevant information now contained in this format. The ePhyto Certificates is produced in accordance with International Standards for Phytosanitary Measure( ISPM) 12.
The International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC) is an intergovernmental treaty signed by over 180 countries, including Trinidad and Tobago aiming to protecting the world’s plant resources from the spread and introduction of pests, and promoting safe trade. The Convention introduced International Standards for Phytosanitary Measures (ISPMs) as its main tool to achieve its goals, making it the sole global standard setting organization for plant health.
In 2020, Trinidad and Tobago registered with the IPPC ePhyto Solutions and began generating test certificates to exchange in the ePhyto Hub. The testing of the system continued throughout 2021 with the addition of ’live’ exchanges of certificates and the re-issuance of re-export certificates. The overall objective of the exercise was to establish a paperless exchange of fraud-resistant electronic phytosanitary certificates quickly, accurately, and at a very low cost. Over that time several ePhyto industry workshops/awareness sessions were conducted with participants of several interest groups, these included, public and private sectors along with key industry stakeholders.
These training sessions were facilitated by Mr. Michael Perry, Export Specialist from the USDA, Animal & Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), Plant Protection & Quarantine (PPQ) and member of the IPPC ePhyto Steering Group. Mr. Perry is currently providing the necessary technical guidance to the Agriculture Ministry, importers, exporters, trade associations on the benefits of adopting the IPPC ePhyto Solution and its migration onto the Single Electronic Window (SEW) platform.
Trinidad and Tobago has now fully transitioned to the ‘live’ exchange of ePhyto certificates using the IPPC Hub for all commercial consignments. The electronic exchange of certificates and accompanying documents for plants and plant products import/export is a significant step for this country in improving trade efficiency, thereby reducing the time and cost of conveying paper documentation through freight and third-party services and in so doing, making agricultural trade flow, smoother, safer and cheaper.
Furthermore, it reduces the protracted issues of non-compliances which arise due to misplacement or late submission of original phytosanitary certificates. The IPPC ePhyto solution also assists in the harmonization which is required for international best practices by creating homogenous conditions for trade; improved security; ability to address certification problems in advance of commodity arrival and resource planning prior to commodity arrival.
If you have questions about ePhyto or phytosanitary certificates, contact the Plant Quarantine Unit, Research Division, Ministry of Agriculture, Land and Fisheries. Email plantquarantine.centeno@gov.tt
Agriculture Minister: “I am immensely proud of each of you, for turning your passion in agriculture into a livelihood’’
Minister of Agriculture, Land and Fisheries, Senator the Honourable Kazim Hosein said that he was immensely proud of persons who have turned their passion for agriculture into a livelihood. The Minister’s remarks came while he was addressing thirty-four (34) recipients at an Agro-Incentive Grant Cheque Distribution Ceremony earlier today, (Monday 11th April, 2022) at the MALF Head Office in Chaguanas.
Minister Hosein added, “I was very pleased to see the different areas in which this grant will be utilized to provide agricultural support to farmers, from infrastructural upgrades for livestock, to purchase of equipment like a cassava planter and root crop harvester, to the establishment of a conventional hydroponics system.”
Also in attendance at the event were the Minister in the Ministry of Agriculture, Land and Fisheries, Senator the Honourable Avinash Singh, Permanent Secretary (Ag.), Ms. Susan Shurland and members of the Agro incentive Grant Committee.
About the Agricultural Finance Support Programme or commonly referred to as the ‘Agro-Incentive Grant’, it is a programme designed to assist farmers in acquiring new techniques, equipment and technology to upgrade their existing facility and was launched by the Agriculture Ministry in October 2018.
For information on the Agricultural Finance Support Programme, please click on the following link:
Amended Version
Media Release
Use of the Royal Botanic Gardens and Wildflower Park
The Ministry of Agriculture, Land and Fisheries has noted the comments made in a recent social media post on the use of the Wildflower Park which is under the remit of the Horticultural Services Division. The Ministry is in the process of conducting an internal investigation on the alleged claims.
The policy position of the Ministry for persons wishing to use the Wildflower Park and the Royal Botanic Gardens for any passive recreational activities, for example large group gatherings or photo-shoots, is that they must first obtain written permission from the Horticultural Services Division prior to their scheduled date of the event.
The Ministry of Agriculture, Land and Fisheries (MALF) continues to encourage persons to adhere to the advertised guidelines, strategically placed at both the Royal Botanic Gardens and Wildflower Park in accordance with the Botanic Gardens Act, Chapter 41:03.
The MALF has always worked closely on a professional level with stakeholders from both the public/private sector and therefore has no sole allegiance to any particular interest group/s.
Both the Wildflower Park and the Royal Botanic Gardens remain accessible to the national community at all times, with persons generally conducting themselves in a responsible manner and complying with the regulations for its use.
Assalaamu ‘Alaikum (peace be unto you). On behalf of the Ministry of Agriculture, Land and Fisheries and as a member of the Muslim community, I wish to extend Ramadan greetings to my brothers and sisters in Islam both at home and across the world.
In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. All praise and gratitude are due to Almighty Allah Subhānahu wa Ta’ala (swt), who, through His infinite grace and mercy has blessed us with the opportunity to witness yet another Holy month of Ramadan. Peace and blessings be upon our Noble Prophet Muhammad, the Seal of the Prophets and Chief of the Messengers, and upon all his family and companions.
As we welcome this blessed month of Ramadan, it provides us the opportunity to reap rich rewards from our Creator and Sustainer, Almighty Allah (swt) by fasting during the day and engaging in extra Ibādat (acts of worship) at night. During this month, the Holy Qur’ān was revealed to our Prophet Muhammad Sallallāhu ‘alaihi wa Sallam, as a guide to mankind. It is a time for thanksgiving as the mercy and forgiveness of Allah (swt) descend upon His servants.
Salmaan reports: ‘On the last day of Sha’baan, the Messenger of Allah (swt) addressed us and said: “O People, there comes upon you now a great month, a most blessed month in which lies a night greater in worth than one thousand months. It is a month in which Allah (swt) has made compulsory that the fasting should be observed by day; and He has made the taraweeh (prayer) by night a sunnah (way of life). Whosoever tries drawing nearer to Allah (swt) by performing any virtuous deed in this month, for him shall be such reward as if he had performed a fard (obligatory observance) in any other time of the year. And whoever performs a fard for him shall be the reward of seventy fard in any other time of the year.”
I want to encourage my fellow Muslims to be especially generous during this Holy month. In addition to Zakaah (almsgiving), let us give whatever we can wholeheartedly to help those in dire need in our communities and by extension to those experiencing hardships across the world. Let us also pay our Sadaqatul Fitr (obligatory dues) very early in Ramadan so that it can reach those families that would be unable to enjoy Eid.
As we join with our family and friends in deepen prayer and reflection, I urge my Muslim brothers and sisters to make full use of this blessed month by fasting, participating in communal Iftār – the breaking of the fast, filling the Masjid during the nights of Ramadan, engaging in extra forms of Ibādah (servitude) such as Tarawiih and Nafl Salawāt, reading the Qur’ān and performing Fard Salawāt in congregation.
Though the impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic continue to impact us all, we remain grateful for the opportunity to worship and reflect on the teachings of Islam, reinforcing the importance of the five (5) pillars of Islam; Faith (Shahadah), Prayer (Salah), Fasting (Sawm), Almsgiving (Zakat) and Pilgrimage (Hajj).
During this month of Ramadan, let us be generous and forgiving to our family, friends and our communities at large. Clear our hearts from anger, complaints, suspicion, jealousy, grudges or dislike. Be extra kind, accommodating, courteous, supportive and helpful to all persons that you may encounter. Let us also instil into our children and the younger generations the values and teachings of Islam, especially the importance of charity and showing compassion to others. While we engage in a period of fast, we understand the blessings and sustenance that we receive from the Almighty and it is paramount for all of us, Muslims and non-Muslims to continue working together in ensuring food security.
On behalf of the Ministry of Agriculture, Land and Fisheries and myself, I am pleased to extend to the Muslim community, and by extension the national community, a blessed and peaceful Ramadan Mubarak. I pray that Almighty Allah (swt) will shower His choicest blessings upon us and our families, as we welcome this blessed Month. May our Ramadan be a rewarding and successful one. Ameen.
Ramadan Mubarak!
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Minister of Agriculture, Land and Fisheries, Senator the Honourable Kazim Hosein (rear, extreme right), is flanked by the Minister of Youth Development and National Service, the Honourable Foster Cummings (rear, 3rd from left); Minister in the Ministry of Agriculture, Lands and Fisheries (with responsibility for Lands), Senator the Honourable Nigel De Freitas (rear, extreme left) and others, following a Signing Ceremony of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for the Implementation of the Mayo Community Agricultural Project (MCAP) on Friday 1st April, 2022.
Minister of Agriculture, Land and Fisheries, Senator the Honourable Kazim Hosein says he recognises the importance of creating viable opportunities for young persons to access training and employment in the agriculture sector. His comment came whilst speaking at the Signing Ceremony of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for the Implementation of the Mayo Community Agricultural Project (MCAP) earlier today, (Friday 1st April, 2022) at the Government Campus Plaza in Port of Spain.
The MOU which was signed by representatives of both the Ministry of Youth Development and National Service (MYDNS) and Trinidad Cement Limited (TCL), is a landmark project which proposes to positively engage the youth in the development of the Mayo community, by improving food security, increasing employment and promoting healthy social interactions.
According to Minister Hosein, the input of the Ministry of Agriculture, Land and Fisheries as a collaborator in this exercise was mainly to facilitate the delivery of the project’s technical components and also provide the requisite training in sustainable agricultural practices. He further added, “I want to reaffirm our commitment to working together with the Ministry of Youth Development and National Service (MYDNS) and the Trinidad Cement Limited (TCL) as we continue to put people first. The Ministry of Agriculture, Land and Fisheries stands ready to provide all the necessary support to the young and upcoming farmers who will be beneficiaries of this significant initiative.”
In lauding the project, the Minister also took the opportunity to commend his Cabinet colleague and Minister of Youth Development and National Service, the Honourable Foster Cummings, for spearheading an exercise which he said, had the capacity to serve as a major impetus for the development of rural communities throughout Trinidad and Tobago.
Also present at the signing ceremony were the: Minister in the Ministry of Agriculture, Land and Fisheries (with responsibility for Lands), Senator the Honourable Nigel de Freitas; Permanent Secretary (MYDNS), Mr. Farook Hosein; Deputy Permanent Secretary (MYDNS), Ms. Cheryl-Ann Solomon and; General Manager (TCL), Mr. Guillermo Rojo De Diego.
Minister of Agriculture, Land and Fisheries, Senator the Honourable Kazim Hosein (right), is welcomed by the Acting Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture, Land and Fisheries, Ms. Susan Shurland (3rd from left); Acting Commissioner of State Lands, Ms. Bhanmati Seecharan (left) and Technical Co-ordinator of the Land Management Division, Ms. Jacqueline Ganteaume-Farrell (2nd from left), upon his arrival at LMD in El Socorro on Friday 1st April, 2020.
Accompanying Minister Hosein during his visit was the Minister in the Ministry of Agriculture, Land and Fisheries (with responsibility for Lands), Senator the Honourable Nigel De Freitas; the Permanent Secretary (Ag.), Ms. Susan Shurland; the Technical Co-ordinator (LMD), Ms. Jacqueline Ganteaume-Farrell and; Advisor to the Minister of Agriculture, Land and Fisheries, Ms. Leah Balkaran.
Preceding the tour – which entailed a meet and greet exercise with staff of the Geographic Information Services (GIS), Agricultural Land Administration, Caroni, Corporate / Reclamation, Rent Review, Leases / Consent, Monitoring and Enforcement, Residential, Land Acquisition and Legal Units – was a meeting with MALF’s Executives and LMD’s Management Team. At this meeting, both Ministers Hosein and De Freitas were apprised of the complex operations in the management of State lands. Minister Hosein also used the opportunity to chart the Government’s policy direction, both for the LMD and a sustainable agricultural sector.
Senator the Honourable Avinash Singh, Minister in the Ministry of Agriculture, Land and Fisheries (left), interacts with fellow delegate, the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry, Fisheries, Rural Transformation, Industry and Labour of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Saboto Caesar (right), at the 37th Session of the FAO Regional Conference for Latin America and the Caribbean in Ecuador on Monday 28th March, 2022.
“The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) continues to be a significant source of technical assistance in policy and planning, capacity building, knowledge sharing, advocacy and resource mobilization in Trinidad and Tobago.” Such was the commendation of Minister in the Ministry of Agriculture, Land and Fisheries, Senator the Honourable Avinash Singh on Monday 28th March, 2022, as he delivered remarks at the 37th Session of the FAO Regional Conference for Latin America and the Caribbean in Ecuador.
The Conference takes place from 28 March – 01 April, 2022 and brings together the governments of the thirty-three (33) Member States of the FAO in Latin America and the Caribbean, to establish the regional priorities to adapt and localise the FAO Strategic Framework 2022-2031. During the Conference, the countries will analyse the work done by the FAO in the previous two (2) years in the region and agree on recommendations for initiatives and priorities that will guide the Organisation’s work during the 2022-2023 period.
In reflecting on the long standing and productive relationship which Trinidad and Tobago has had with the FAO in the promotion of sustainable agricultural systems and contribution towards hunger and poverty alleviation, Minister Singh identified with a number of projects which in his opinion, have had “far-reaching impacts” in helping T&T achieve its national mandate and goals. Among some of these included: the support of the FAO in updating T&T’s “over one hundred (100) year old Fisheries Legislation” which represented some thirty (30) years of dedicated work; the promotion of food safety and meat hygiene in the poultry cottage industry and; the adoption and implementation of the Disaster Risk Management Plan for the Agriculture Sector.
The Minister also lauded the contributions of the Country Representative for Trinidad and Tobago and Suriname, Mr. Reuben Robertson, whom he said, continued to be quite instrumental in lobbying the financial and technological support requisite for the successful execution of their collaborative projects. He said: “Trinidad and Tobago continues to be grateful for the continuous support and technical expertise of the FAO [and] I therefore pledge – on behalf of the Government and people of Trinidad and Tobago and extension the Caribbean – our support and commitment in our efforts to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG’s) and achieving food and nutrition security for all.”
Click here for Minister Singh’s full Address at the Conference.
