Dominica : The presence of the Black Sigatoka disease in Dominica continues to adversely affect the island’s agriculture with the just announced decision by Antigua and Barbuda to place restrictions on the importation of a number of fruits from the island and has notified the Antiguan public that such imports will be confiscated and destroyed.
On the black list are mangos, guavas, bananas, plantains, cut flowers and dried coconunts.
The measure was put in place by the Plant Protection Unit (PSSU) in the Antigua Ministry of Agriculture due to “a number of phytosanitary (plant health) issues that have developed in recent times”.
“Effective immediately, commercial consignments of banana and plantain fruit ONLY may be imported into Antigua & Barbuda from Dominica,” the PPU said in a release. “Personal consignments of bananas and plantains are absolutely prohibited. All consignments of bananas and plantains MUST be accompanied by a valid Phytosanitary Certificate issued by Plant Quarantine in Dominica as well as a valid Import Permit issued by Plant Protection Antigua & Barbuda.”
The release went on to say that entire consignments of plantain and banana that do not meet the necessary requirements will be confiscated.
The unit also placed on notice importers of cut flowers, spices ground and whole, including cinnamon, cloves and nutmeg and dried coconuts from Dominica, warning them that they must have a valid import permit before bringing them into Antigua.
“Strict compliance with the above requirements is expected as we try to exclude pests that could devastate plant life in Antigua & Barbuda,” the PPU said in its release.
Recently Agriculture Minister Mathew Walter revealed that Montserrat had indicated it would not accept any fruits, especially plantains and bananas, coming from Dominica. He stated then that government expected “Anguilla, Antigua, Nevis and ST Kitts to follow suit,”.
The presence of Black Sigatoka was confirmed in Dominica last month.
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