Agriculture Minister Matthew Walter said new legislation to complement Dominica’s Forestry Policy could be implemented soon.
He told a consultation on a policy for the forestry sector, that the country’s wildlife resources and forests must be properly managed.
“Since our survival depends on the existence on a health forest resort, the Government of Dominica stands ready to play its part, to ensure that our forest and wild life resources are properly managed in the interest of this and future generations,” he said.
He said government will review the existing legislation so that it will complement the new policy.
Walter noted Government will move to bring greater focus on the sector, particularly in the aftermath of the creation of a new national park service in 2011.
He says the role of the forest in Dominica’s eco-tourism thrust cannot be underestimated.
“Dominica must take measures to ensure that its forest resources are engaged in a sustainable manner. Our country must wake up to the reality and consciousness which is rooted in the firm belief that in the absence of forest the foundation of the tourism industry will be at risk,” he added.
– DNO Correspondent
This is all about talk which gives indigestion! This is the worst Minister of Agriculture I have seen – No Action, only talk. He has put the nail in the coffin of the agriculture sector. Rest In Peace.
Amended Forestry and Wildlife legislation has been pending for more than five years. Observer you are so right. Add another five years. Forestry officers are putting their lives on the line in executing their duties ; and for what ? $400.00 dollars at the Court. Species of birds belonging to the Parrot Family was imported in to Dominica against the advise of Forestry says the SUN NEWSPAPER. Yet the nice words like Sustainable use that does not mean a shit on the ground is being tossed all over the dame place. OOPS excuse my language. The Forestry sector is being given the type of accolade they rightly deserve.
No upward mobility, small salary, ask for Park Wardens no salary increase over the past 13 years while the user fee system bags more than 1Millionn A year. That is sustainable development Mathew Walter Style.
Is the SUN Newspaper reporting an untruth re. importation of ten Macau birds into Dominica from Guyana? Was any license obtained from ECU? If the SUN’s article is libelous then await a law suit. if the report is true, is it offending anyone. Nobody has yet refuted the newspaper’s report. Dominicans did you read the article this Monday past? Was the Forestry Department or ECU by-passed? Ask yourself that question. The DNO article is making mention of Forestry and a matter dealing with Laws to further protect our forest. So when laws are not adhered to re. matters dealing with importation of whatever, be it flowers or birds or animals, we should not sweep it under the carpet. Even the Minister talks of laws, if they are not enforced or adhered to, our Forest and wildlife will not be properly protected. or managed.
PAWOL EN BOUCHE SE PAS MET. According to last week’s front page article in the SUN Newspaper of Monday 10, May 2010, entitled ‘OH WALTER,’ the people of Dominica were informed that Agriculture Minister Walter issued a directive for the importation into Dominica of ten Macau birds from Guyana against the advice of the Forestry Division. The Forestry officials said that the decision could endanger the Sisserou parrot. Mr. Walter has not yet denied the information therein.
According to the SUN, the birds were ordered by Ruffled Feathers Aviary of Eggleston. The SUN reported that the owner of the Aviary did not obtain an import license from the Environment Coordinating Unit, (ECU) as was required by law for the importation of the birds. Head of the ECU confirmed that his department had not been approached for any import permit. He stated further that there were serious implications when procedures which ought to have been followed are not. The SUN hinted that the owners of the Aviary must have influenced Minister Walter.
One could conclude also that, not too long ago, the business man building the asphalt plant in Layou also must have influenced somebody in authority against the concerns of the Layou community. The Chief Planning Officer agreed and said openly that the businessman had initially acted illegally by starting the project without first obtaining a license or permission from Planning Division, but he was rewarded, by the same Planning Division for his initial illegal action, with a license to go on with the project. How many of those fancy speeches the Dominican people have heard especially from that minister? Yet the AGRICULTURE Sector is in its worst state since Dominica attained Political Independence. Minister Walter supported the building of an oil refinery in Small Dominica, less than 300 sq, miles. Wouldn’t that facility have serious negative effects on our Wildlife and Forest as well as our Eco-tourism thrust?
Those acts are happening much too often in Dominica where some do what they want, anytime, without respect for established laws of the land.
I am waiting to see how long and how many comments that this piece will generate from readers of DNO. You know we Dominicans wallow in politics, more politics and beff type politics. That is what that seem to get us excited. However, the Hon. Minister’s observations and remarks as important as they are to national development, seemingly are being ignored. My comment. Mr. Minister you spoke well. Your statement is timely and require much consideration by each and every one of us. We however wait to see how serious you are with the legislation that was promised to support the policy. We will then judge how serious you are, based on the rate and quantum of delivery in this regard.
Interesting! Not one comment. It shows what interests Dominicans. politics, more poitics and bef politics. But the Hon. Minister is quite correct. Life as we know it today in Dominica would be simply different. We cannot over look the significance of forests to economic development. It is everybody’s business to ensure that our forests is kept in tact. We now look forward to seeing the legislation that was promised and how soon.