Minister of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries, Hon. Karl Samuda.
Minister of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries, Hon Karl Samuda has withdrawn the Ministerial Order for the Frosty Pod Rot of Cocoa Disease (Moniliophthora roreri) that was issued in late September under Section 3 of the Plants Quarantine Act 1993.
The lifting of the Order follows the recommendation by the Plant Quarantine/Produce Inspection Branch of the Ministry to withdraw the Order for the entire island. The recommendation is consistent with the findings from the delimiting survey report, which was conducted by the Plant Health Coordinating Committee.
Whilst the recommendation was made for the Order to be withdrawn, the long term management strategy for containment and eradication which is being led by the Cocoa Industry Board (CIB) as the regulatory body authorized under the Cocoa Industry Board Act, will be continued. This will allow for the continued harvesting and movement of cocoa beans in designated areas under prescribed protocol.
As the country continues to monitor and manage the disease, all cases or suspected cases of the Frosty Pod Rot of Cocoa are to be reported to the Cocoa Industry Board; the Plant Quarantine/Produce Inspection Branch and the Research and Development Division of the Ministry of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries or the Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA) at the following contact numbers:
• Cocoa Industry Board: 923-6413
• Plant Quarantine/ Produce Protection Unit: 588-5844; 977-6401, 977-0637
• R&D Division (Bodles): 745-2957
• RADA: 888-275-7232
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Contact:
Director, Communication & Public Relations
Ministry of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries
Hope Gardens, Kingston 6
T – 618-7128; E: pr2@micaf.gov.jm; daoconnor@micaf.gov.jm
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