THE MINISTRY of Agriculture has banned the importation of plants and vegetables from Florida, in a move aimed at preventing the spread of the Hibiscus or Pink Mealybug, which has been affecting vegetation in that area.
In a release issued through the state-run news agency, the Jamaica Information Service (JIS) yesterday, the Ministry said it would immediately cease issuing permits for plants, cut flowers, fruits and vegetables originating in Florida.
In addition, the Ministry said any shipment of fruits, vegetables, plants and cut flowers arriving in Jamaica which originated in Florida, would be returned to the source of origin or destroyed.
The release said Carol Thomas, the Ministry's Chief Plant Quarantine Officer, has issued a letter to importers on the matter. "The Plant Quarantine Unit will immediately cease the issuing of import permits for plants, cut flowers and fruits and vegetables originating in Florida. In addition, persons who have in their possession valid import permits for plants, cut flowers and fruits and vegetables must return these immediately to the Plant Quarantine Office," the letter said.
The JIS said the letter was presented to importers during a recent meeting at the Ministry of Agriculture's office in St. Andrew. "The move is a pre-emptive bid to stave off a possible outbreak of the pest," said the release, noting that "a plan of action was also outlined in the event of an outbreak."
A very small, soft-bodied insect, the Pink Mealybug is a dangerous pest as the female has the ability to reproduce rapidly without a male. The pest attacks a large number of plants, and ants protect it from natural enemies.
The Pink Mealybug affects plants by stunting the root, causing flowers to shrivel, deforming fruits, and leaving black, sooty mold on leaves and stems.
Miss Thomas told the meeting that other than effectively communicating the message of non-importation to those accustomed to trading with the state of Florida, her local department would shortly be requesting a survey and report from the Agricultural Department of Florida to see and analyse the extent of the outbreak. She said Ministry officials would be dispatched to meet with the relevant agricultural authorities there for site inspections.
The meeting resolved to carry out a public awareness campaign. It was suggested that flyers with warnings against the Pink Mealybug be distributed to rural farmers.
Airline passengers would also be advised against bringing produce, plants, or flowers to Jamaica from Florida.
Plant Protection Specialist at the Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA), Phillip Chung, said it was important to seek pertinent answers from Florida officials as Jamaica was a primary importer of many vegetables, fruits, and other plant life. He said Jamaica needed to ascertain whether there was an eradication programme in place to deal with the pest.
Since the 1990s, the Pink Mealybug has severely affected such neighbouring Caribbean islands as Grenada, Trinidad & Tobago, and St. Kitts, denting export profits and resulting in poverty and environmental damage. In 1995, the pest reportedly cost Grenada and Trinidad & Tobago US$150 million in export sales.
