Containers fumigated in effort to kill stowaway snake
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Submitted by publicrelations on Tue, 12/23/2008 - 11:21.Ministry brings the Internet to importing
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Submitted by publicrelations on Mon, 12/22/2008 - 12:12.Government secures $-billion loan for agriculture
Published: Saturday | December 20, 2008
Jamaica Gleaner
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Submitted by publicrelations on Mon, 12/22/2008 - 12:10.Sugar workers receive notice pay
But concerned over re-employment after divestment
BY PATRICK FOSTER Observer writer fosterp@jamaicaobserver.com
Friday, December 19, 2008
After a nervous two-and-a half-month wait, sugar workers across the island yesterday began receiving notice payments under the Government's divestment deal to sell off five sugar factories to the Brazilian company Infinity Bio-Energy.
According to the Ministry of Agriculture, payments to workers at all five factories - Bernard Lodge, Frome, Monymusk, Duckensfield and Long Pond - would be concluded by the end of yesterday.
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Submitted by publicrelations on Fri, 12/19/2008 - 11:01.Agriculture Ministry Developing Automated Trace System
KINGSTON (JIS): By: LATONYA LINTON
Thursday, December 18, 2008
In an effort to expedite trading, the Ministry of Agriculture is in the process of developing an automated trace system, for the electronic processing of import permits and export phytosanitary certificates.
"We are now at the end of the pilot phase for the import aspect of it, and we are looking to fully implement this by January 2009," Chief Plant Quarantine Produce Inspector at the Ministry of Agriculture, Shelia Harvey, tells JIS News in an interview.
"This process is easier when someone is able to go online and go to the Ministry's website, which is www.moa.gov.jm, and go to the section that says 'import inspection' or 'import permit', and they are able to fill out online and the permits are processed online," she adds.
The Chief Plant Quarantine Produce Inspector emphasises that the new measures will facilitate trade, as the process is much easier than someone sitting down and typing.
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Submitted by publicrelations on Thu, 12/18/2008 - 12:29.Gov't Secures US$7.8 Million Agricultural Loan from CDB
KINGSTON (JIS):
Thursday, December 18, 2008
The Government of Jamaica has secured an agricultural loan of US$7.8 million from the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB), for on-lending to farmers.
Minister of Agriculture, Dr. Christopher Tufton, speaking in the House of Representatives yesterday (Dec. 16), said that the loan, which was approved by the Board of Directors of the CDB last week, will be channelled to the agricultural sector through the Development Bank of Jamaica early next year, at an interest rate below eight per cent.
"These loan funds are going to be used to encourage the modernisation of the agricultural sector," he stated.
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Submitted by publicrelations on Thu, 12/18/2008 - 12:27.Meaty interest - Agri minister threatens to nullify import permits of shared businesses
Published: Thursday | December 18, 2008
Jamaica Gleaner Shelly-Ann Thompson, Staff Reporter
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Submitted by publicrelations on Thu, 12/18/2008 - 12:05.Imported Leg Quarters Meet the Highest Safety Standards - Tufton
KINGSTON(JIS):
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
Minister of Agriculture, Dr. Christopher Tufton, has assured consumers that the chicken leg quarters, which are being imported into the island, are of the highest quality and meet rigorous safety standards.
He said that the products, which are being imported from the United States of America, are certified by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and local health authorities. "This product is certified not only by our local agencies but also from the country of origin and the evidence is there to support that and therefore, the consumers have nothing to worry about as it relates to that," Dr. Tufton stated at a press conference held yesterday (Dec. 15) at his Hope Gardens office in Kingston.
According to the Agriculture Minister, the strongest safety measures and procedures are always undertaken to ensure that the highest quality meats are imported into the island.
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Submitted by publicrelations on Wed, 12/17/2008 - 10:35.STATEMENT ON THE IMPORTATION OF CHICKEN LEG QUARTERS BY DR THE HON. CHRISTOPHER TUFTON, MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE
Monday, December 15, 2008
Minister of Agriculture,
Dr. the Hon. Christopher Tufton
In October and November 2008 the Ministry of Agriculture issued permits for the importation of 625,000 kg or twenty-five (25) containers of chicken leg quarters to meet the Christmas demand. Each importer incurred a duty of 40%, down from 260% to facilitate affordable prices for the consumers, while allowing the local producers an opportunity to compete.
The 500,000 kg for October and 125,000 for November represent the only two sets of permits that were issued during 2008.
The permits were issued based on the following:
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Agriculture Minister Defends Decision to Import Chicken Meat
KINGSTON (JIS):
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
Courtesy of Jamaica Information Service
Minister of Agriculture, Dr. Christopher Tufton, has defended Government's decision to grant import permits for leg quarters, stating that the move was to meet a shortage in production, as indicated by the main chicken producers, and to ensure that there would be no increase in price.
Dr. Tufton, speaking at a press conference, held at the Ministry's headquarters in Kingston today (Dec. 15), said that a meeting was held on September 19, with senior management of the main poultry providers, Jamaica Broilers and Caribbean Broilers, and representatives of the Ministries of Industry and Commerce, and Agriculture.
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Submitted by publicrelations on Tue, 12/16/2008 - 11:57.Posted in
