Ryan Anselm, Head of Plant Protection and Quarantine Services in Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, Dominica has been elected co-chair of Caribbean Plant Health Directors (CPHD) at the organization’s seventh annual general meeting held in the Cayman Islands recently.
Representatives from more than 20 Caribbean countries and territories and several partner organizations attended the meeting which aimed to discuss strategies to improve food Security, exxpand agricultural trade, and protect plant resources in the region.
The Caribbean is known for its vital and diverse agriculture and natural resources and protecting them from potentially devastating invasive pests and diseases is critical to the health and prosperity of the region.
During the meeting, the CPHD Forum entertained intense discussions aimed at bolstering the ability of member countries to identify, exclude, and respond to pests and diseases that threaten regional agriculture and natural resources and to resolve issues that might impede the trade of Caribbean agricultural products regionally and internationally.
Members also made progress on determining how regional plant protection and trade priorities of the region will be raised at meetings of international organizations that govern these activities.
Other members elected to the executive body include chair; Brian Crichlow, Assistant Director, Cayman Islands Department of Agriculture, technical secretary; Eric Evelyn, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture, Lands, Housing, Co-operatives and Fisheries, Nevis.
The co-chair and technical secretary were re-elected to serve a new two-year term.
In addition, the meeting endorsed a charter that formalizes the structure and function of this collaborative network of plant health officials and partner organizations.
CPHD Forum members are also striving to unify plant health safeguarding strategies in the region through the exchange of technical information, the transfer of technologies and methods, and the harmonization of plant protection and agricultural trade management approaches. The efforts of this forum will strengthen plant protection and have a direct impact on the region’s food security and economic prosperity for the Greater Caribbean Region.
Congrats Anselm.
Congratulations Comrade… I am convinced and justified in this regard that you will perform creditably in this most necessary forum.
Great work Mr Anselm in taking the lead to help improve the Agricultural sector in the caribbean. Keep up the positive attitude.
classmate at DSC, 1994-96