A ‘tabletop simulation exercise’ as an emergency response to resolve plant health challenges in Dominica, was conducted as part of activities to mark the observance of International Day of Plane Health last week.
Head of Plant Protection and Quarantine Services of the Ministry of Agriculture, Nelson Laville, said the challenge that was chosen for scrutiny at the meeting was Citrus Canker because it is one of the pests on the ministry’s priority list and is also present in two countries in the Caribbean region.
“We know that citrus is one of the priority crops for development and expansion in Dominica and previously we’ve been plagued with Citrus Tristeza and Citrus Greening. We cannot afford to have another pathogen or pest affecting our citrus,” Laville explained.
Laville said if this situation is not resolved, there may be complications which can lead to restriction to trade, a declining economy and negative effects on the livelihoods of the farmers and on crop availability.
Source: dominicanewsonline.com