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 the notification of the Antiguan public that such imports will be confiscated and destroyed.
On the black list are mangos, guavas, bananas, plantains, cut flowers and dried coconuts.
The measure was put in place by the Plant Protection Unit (PPU) 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.
….fig finish..
….we need a new money “plant”…… 
I think that we Dominicans worry too much about foreigners. After all we ourselves are foreigners except of about 5,000 or more Caribs. Every developed nation we know had some foreign input. Man it doesn’t hurt to get another perspective as well as cash injection in the economy. Foreigners help to diversify the economy, help the culture evolve. We are too hostile, we need to take more time to see how we are going to move Dominica forward and welcome to foreigners to be part of it. Those fellas who have the cash are not investing, all they do is play party in power to protect what they have while the rest of us fighting for the quass. I am Dominican by birth, my wife by marriage and my children by descent, the Haitian by naturalization and the Chinese by ecomomic citizenship program. At the end of the day the passport is the same. Got to get used to that.
In relation to the disease Sigatoka, it is now world wide, so when st. Kitts ban banana,plantain exports from Da, which country will they get it from that doesnot have sigatoka, and how much will they pay for it? So much for OECS unity! All this is going to cause is contriband, and inevitable entry to the other islands. It was the same contriband that caused the giant snails from Gloupe to enter Calibishie and And Anse deMia years ago. Just for info sake All the large banana farms in central and south America export bananas and that disease is already there.
How come Dominica alone that getting these diseases? First tristeza now this…Can anyone tell me what is their origin and why all of a sudden we’re being hit with it?? Ahhh yes my friends, herein lies the truth, when you open up your borders for devilupment expect these sort of things to be the backlash. I can’t wait until these foreigners start bringing their “pets” here, lord knows what we’ll find. Truth is once they get here and breed and spread there’s nothing we can do, even if we slap fines on and arrest those involved. Oh wait wait, we CAN ask the “super powers” for money to fix the problem their countrymen started(purposely perhaps??…hmm), but we won’t get funding we’ll get GMO seeds and crops. Then before you know it we’ll be GMO suppliers, selling all the nutritionless seeds, fruits and vegetables the world over because we were stupid enough to allow this to happen with open arms. We’ll see that money and policy doesn’t fix everything and our already failing economy will surely perish as a result because agriculture has always been Dominica’s claim to fame not tourism. My fellow brothers and sisters of Dominica DO NOT ALLOW outsiders to take what we have been blessed with for monetary gain. MONEY IS PAPER!! Trees, land, soil, its people are priceless. We are far more important than the millions used to build roads and buildings a disaster can easily crumble, which we’ll then need money from foreigners(we can’t repay) to rebuild when the trees can simply grow back…..Be wise
Serious blow for that economy…
my heart breaking for my island, what else can go wrong for you Dominica,,,,time for a new goverment and some fresh ideas, cos this one aint helping us at all……no tourist no shipping any of our fruits, we have nothing else to do, lets see how long before de crime get worse, i getting bigger fence and badder dogs wee
Dominica in my prayers
well,well and well that’s going to be a serious blow to a sector that has being completely neglected by this Labour Regime!
But again Dominica and Dominicans pay no regard or attention to any issues! just a whole heap radio talk which brings about no actions or progressive measures!
They have shown their regional counterparts the level of maturity on governance and higher levels of progress for the island.
That’s why those US Cables rated them Poorest and out of Touch Prime Minister! WHAT A JOKEY ISLAND!
This plant disease has nothing to do with the fruit for human consumption. Black Sigatoka is a fungus which affects the plant leaves, stunts growth and reduces fruit yields by as much as 50%.
The fact that the fungus can be transported via other fruit, the other islands are justified in effecting a fruit ban from Dominica. This fungus regenerates extremely well in climates with high humidity high temperature and lots of vegetation,and Dominica is a perfect environment for rapid growth.
The only known effective means of control is the widespread use of pesticides. And here comes the catch. Do we want to increase our use of pesticides in Dominica? Just take a look at the Blenheim River. Gramoxone and DDT have taken its toll from excessive use from the 1950’s through the 1970’s. Even the use of 10-10-10 fertilizer continues to destroy aquatic life The Indian River is not too far behind and I bet readers can pinpoint several other major waterflows in Dominica which have succumbed to the overuse of destructive chemicals.
As difficult as it may seem we need to strike a balance between controlling pests and preserving our natural wonders. There is no simple answer and I bet if you ask each and every Dominican you will get as many different answers as our over 70,000 residents. This does not even include the over 1,000,000 in the diaspora who think they know whats better for Dominica.
they better fix this problem fast cos an increased crime rate is not what we need.
Looks like the disease has reached other areas too.
The disease has been detected in Dominica, many islands in the region have reported sightings of the disease including Martinique, St Lucia, Jamaica, Trinidad, Grenada and St Vincent.
Looks like a regional problem. We will get through this.
The receptionists and others at the Government Ministries who deals with the public need urgent training with customer service pronto!!!!!
You are really ‘OFF TOPIC’. the topic is Black Sigatoka and NOT training
This is a brillant way to thank Dominica for the financial assistance they received a few years ago,however,we cannot blame the Antiguans. The blame must be put at the feet of the Skerrit Labor Party Government.Dominica is fortunate to have had two experts in the persons of Mr. Clayton Shillingford and Mr. Edison James, but instead,I understood that the Venezuelans will be the ones assisting Dominica with the control of the Black Sisaloka. Mr. Shillingford informed the nation on radio last night that he was one of the experts who assisted the Venezuelans when they had a similar problem. Them fellars always talk of a visionary Prime Minister,
Is that the same Dr. Clayton Shillingford whom mamo (of blessed memory) begged to come here to assist with the banana industry, he declined? If it is the same person,he must tellus why he refused the offer. he would have come here much younger with all his energies and contribute tot ehindustry here. Is it because at that time he was busy building his credentials and making more money? As for eddo, his energies for bananas is no longer. He is more intersted, even if frustrated, in putting “boots on the ground” not in the banana fields, but in Roseau.
From what I have read in this article, shipments of produce accompanied by a valid phytosanitary certifcate will be allowed through. Just sounds like good agricutural practices to me. Dominica should require the same for all raw agricutural commodiites coming into the island.
ah but you see you read the article. most didn’t and just wanted to get emotional.
Some years ago, a current prominent hotelier was fined for importing dasheen plants into Dominica illegally. (He was not a hotelier then.)
The problem and solutions usually lie in the hands of the people… the farmers and hucksters.
Ha boy, you dock the Corallo story big time we.
hahahahahahahahaha
That is a non-issue.
Peeping Tom does not waste time on non-issues, unless it is for entertainment purposes.
Response to Peeping Tom?
Oh is a non-issue now? I feel like copying and pasting all what you had to say under the 2 stories in November of 2011.
SHAME ALLU SHAME, you and the other 5 people that liked your post. SHAME ALLU SHAME…so it’s a non-issue now.
Our passports being issued to criminals and allu shame because time and time again allu keep putting hand in fire for corrupt politicians.
Anyways bossman back to the topic….Restriction on crops…lol
The agricultural department needs to find the cause of the problem and find some way to rectify such problem. If nothing is being done and just talk, other countries are going to follow suite and the farmers will be the ones suffering in the long run.
Get rid of Labaaaa and we willbe fine.
That’s about the last thing we need happening on this island right now…
I suppose Antigua has to protect their interest and I do hope that our Government hasten the drive to rectify this very unfortunate blow to our revenue. On the meantime I WILL NOT BE BUYING ANTHING FROM ANTIGUA. I DO NOT EVEN WANT TO BE IN TRANSIT ON THAT DRY FORMER CORRUPT STANFORD ISLAND. LET’S BOYCOTT ANTIGUA PRODUCE UNTIL THE BAN IS LIFTED!!! Since when they are so fresh?????
what produce Antigua selling that we could boycott. last i heard the only thing they export is onions, cotton and i think tomato and we don’t import that from them. so what we really boycotting? besides a diplomatic fallout amongst OECS territiories makes no sense and would serve none of us any good.
It never ceases to amaze me how some people think. To “Cyrique”…if it was the other way around, and Dominica banned these contaminated items coming out of Antigua, would u think it would be fair for us Antiguans to say “I WILL NOT BE BUYING ANYTHING FROM THAT DRY CORRUPT SKERRITT ISLAND?”….Of course not!! Its only natural that we protect ourselves as would any other country, so dont expose ur lack of common sense, it doesnt help the situation.
Processed foods don’t go through that problem and you get more moneyfor your effort. That is a final warning for those who have been shipping “fresh” produce for generations. Step up!
Processed foods are a major contributing factor in the deteriorating health of the nation, so I must strongly DISAGREE with your statement!!
Health before profit!
Who is antigua to even put restrictions? woy…, they forget is our hucksters from the seventies and eighties that bring plants like coconut, breadfruits, pears etc to antigua? what antigua have, well doh believe is our farmers alone that going to suffer becasue if you go by the antigua market when the boats from dominica coming in with fresh produce you will see how those antigans lining up to buy our produce to resell, so is their people dat going to suffer to. at least we have anguilla, st kitts, tortola and st martin to sell our produce to
we have those other islands? but for how long? bet next week st. kitts and Anguilla do the same thing. and tortola population is very small. so how that helping us?
am right in antigua thats what am saying you people need to see and hear how this people talk when the boat dont come to antigua on the day that it should be coming and 75% to 80% of what the things you see in there market are from dominica when boat dont come all you hearing them saying is .are you no see boat no come
So am I to understand from ur statement that u will sell these contaminated items to Anguilla, St. Kitts, Tortola and St. Martin?…I guess u think that that is fair right?…
Well business is business, and when one decides to get into it,they must do it the best way possible, make sure you are reaching for gold,when you wash and pack these bananas and fruits. Can’t do half ass job and expect to get that gold. Its a bit disappointing to hear, but its a lesson to be learned here. And antigua of all places Please thats a bit much. We should ship our water else where, lets see how they’d like that??
we currently ship water to Antigua? which of our governemnt agencies do that? and how much revenue are we getting from it? and finally, ship it elsewhere liek where? and if we had another market why weren’t we shipping it there all along? but ah still waiting to hear since when we making money exporting water to Antigua. i never see that in our budget yet.
There is bottled water made in antigua.
Bottled SEA water LOL.
A little correction here anonymous inreguard of your comment am with you,but i dont beleive that Dominica ship water to Antigua not onless its the bottle water i remember back in the 80s Dominica use to ship water to Antigua but that dont happen anymore.
what i remember is that between 1983 and either 84 or 85 Antigua suffered a severe drought and imported water from Guadeloupe. The then PM Dame Eugenia was angered by this and rightfully so in my opinion. Eugenia thought that Antigua with whom we have had a long history should have imported the water from Dominica instead of Guadeloupe. whether the Antiguan Government corrected this oversight is something I can’t recall. However, that didn’t go past the drought period of the 80s. so I am curious where we getting this thing from that we exporting water to Antigua like is part of our regular trade.
Another blow to the country in truth! On to the next level! Woohoo!
oh please the disease is all over the islands.antigua needs our produce.
You are very likely right. It is not just confined to DA. Things have a way of spreading.
And as am spkeing the boat with the food are just cominig in to antigua right now so you see i just say thay cant do without our food we as dominicans just need to send good food to this people please if the food that your all are about to send to the outside is.lands are not good please dont send them out. thay need the food my people of dominicans and we need the there money so lets do our best my people please sell good food to the people have are bless day lets see how we can work to get dominica moving people its dominica time to move and its all up to us to do it stay bless one love to all dominicans in antigua and all over
Do you have a problem with punctuations?
eh eh, Antigua has plant life? which plants that?the hard tough shrubs that is the only thing that can grow on the island?
Dominica Fini Bat
How can we be fini Bat and Dominica is a christian nation. China is atheist! I always wonder…. Lets’ pray
Thay do dam right when dominicans get to know how to work as one this people wont do or say what thay want to dominicna but i know my people that are in business its all self business thay do so that good for them i dont know when we are going to know how to do business you know how long dominicans sending food to this placese and yet still we still thay still want to have us how thay like but you know what thay cant do without the food from dominica good lock to them
no kind.
I asked the same question above. This person must be allergic to commas and periods. smh.
lol
the allergy extends to spelling as well.
Umm.. I think you misunderstood the article. In layman terms, there is a break out of the Black Sigatoka disease in Dominica which was confirmed a month ago. They never said Antigua received any diseased produce. The Antiguan government simply does not want to take the risk of inviting such a disease into their country. Although it is very unfortunate for our country’s agricultural sector , this has nothing to do with how Dominica conducts business. Do yourself a favour and read a book please.
@D/can in Canada. welcome to DNO, where reading, logical thought and critical thinking has no place and where emotional outbursts, conjecture and bef is king.
Anglais ca daysan joeurdila papa.
It should be “outbreak” not “breakout”. Breakout is when one escapes from prison, etc.
@Smh! I simply made an error sweetie, take it easy. You sound just as ignorant as “dominica in antigua”.
@D/can in Canada, after you are sent to prison for first-degree murder of the Queen’s English, I hope you can BREAKOUT.
LOL!
You MUST be bored. Enjoy the rest of your afternoon.
D/can in Canada, Not little bored nah. The devil finds work for idle hands. Smooches.
papa met
omg!!!what was that?!!
Please learn to articulate…
lmao. Budman, that was funny.
Dominica going under slowly but surely! Alas! When our farmers don’t have the already failing banana industry to rely on what else will they resort to when there are no other jobs etc? Poor Dominica!
IS DURT!
Man, that is a blow. I hope Dominica does everything in its power to rectify this problem so that its exports will be readily accepted in these overseas markets once more.
The ball is in our court I guess…
not good news for us… Ministry of Agri needs to do something quick…we can’t loose our Agri markets now…Dominique will fini bat!!!
Only dominica does nothing to protect here own,any cat or dog can bring things in this country,while others exclude us from their own,nothing NEW.i am only waiting for the grow what we eat program and put an incentive for people that does that,like all other countries
They really up. Hope they do not want water too.
so for those of you who (to no surprise) cussing Antigua and Montserrat and any other territory that puts restrictions on our crops, answer me this. If we were importing some product that could possibly do us harm, you would tell our government “go ahead let it through unchecked?” stop being emotional and start being practical. the problem is not other islands “being up”. the problem is we have a disease affecting our crops and we need to contain it so life and return to normal.
rather than concern ourselves with other people’s policies, let’s put our house in order.
This is actually the most common sense post. A voice of reason
Lord!!!…Budman, say it again….maybe the English language is hard to comprehend in here..
Well, can not blame the people. We have to be more careful in our dealing and must take this thing seriously. A total effort is thus needed.
finally a voice of reason