by Emmanuel H. Joseph
Government Information Service
The Dominican Government is in full support of the creation of the Caribbean Agricultural, Health and Food Safety Authority. The Authority was inaugurated last week at the 33rd special meeting of the Council for Trade and Economic Development (COTED) in Suriname.
The Authority promises to be a venture that will ensure regional food and nutrition security through the promotion of sustainable regional agricultural sector. Ten CARICOM countries signed on the CAHFSA at the recently concluded 21st Inter-Sessional here in Dominica. Each country, before the formation of the agency, had their own set of standards for trade. With the establishment of CAHFSA, the agency is now charged with the responsibility for the establishment of common guidelines, policies and standards so that Caribbean countries can trade as a region especially to the European Union and other international countries.
Representing Dominica at the 33rd special meeting of Agricultural Ministers was Hon. Dr. Kenneth Darroux, Minister for the Environment, Natural Resources, Physical Planning and Fisheries. He said that the Agricultural Ministers placed emphasis on food safety and regulations. He explains what the next step for Dominica is.
 Hon. Dr. Kenneth Darroux,
Minister for the Environment,
Natural Resources, Physical
Planning and Fisheries
“With the launching of CAHFSA, the next logical step would be the formation of our own national policy that we call NAHFSA and coupled with the official launching of CAHFSA in Suriname, they also have a centre for food and excellence which is a multi-purpose laboratory capable for testing practically everything in agriculture and other food products ranging from heavy metals in fish products to pesticide residue in agricultural produce. Right now, we have access to a state of the art testing facility in Suriname where we could send our produce for testing and certification for trade within the region and internationally.” |
