Policies

The Ministry in 2006 commenced preliminary work for the preparation of The Comprehensive Agricultural Policy and has requested technical assistance from the Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO) for the fulfillment of this policy. The objective of the policy is to achieve a comprehensive framework for rural and agricultural development, to promote investment, job creation and rural prosperity.

Currently there are several policies being pursued by the Ministry , which are at various stages of development. The following table gives a synopsis of these policies and their current status. 

Policy Development Programme

Medium Term Policy Framework For The Jamaican Cattle Sector

This policy aims to stimulate redevelopment of the dairy farming sector through:

• Alignment of the value-chain to ensure greater equity to all industry stakeholders inclusive of the consumer;
• Increasing the international competitiveness of local beef and milk production;
• Attracting youth and women to ensure continuity.

Stage: 2

Status:
The Ministry will be assisting the Jamaica Dairy Development Board to prepare the policy document from the concept paper during the course of the FY 2011/2012.

National Food Safety Policy

The policy aims to implement programmes that promote high standards of food hygiene and maintain systems of surveillance and control to ensure compliance with those standards.

Stage: 7

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National Fisheries and Aquaculture Policy

The proposed National Fisheries and Aquaculture Policy will provide a framework for the formulation of strategies designed to address the important issues and challenges and opportunities facing the industry. The promulgation of the policy comes at a critical juncture for the Fisheries Division in its transition to an Executive Agency of Government and being given more autonomy to protect and develop the nation’s fisheries. The policy is urgent and will be critical to the new agency as it seeks to carve out its mandate and provide guidance to the new agency’s activities going forward.

Stage: 4

Status: Funding has been approved by the Fisheries Management Development Fund to aid in the revision and finalisation of the policy. Focus on this Policy will be a priority during the FY 2014/2015

National Plant Health Policy

The policy aims to establish a coordinated, sustainable and international compliant plant health system that enhances Jamaica’s plant health status, thus fostering consumer, plant and environmental health and food security.

Stage: 7

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Animal Health & Welfare Policy

This Policy has been spearheaded in order to harmonize and strengthen the regulatory, legislative and institutional framework governing the animal health and welfare system, in keeping with the standards established by the World Organization for Animal Health and the CODEX Alementarius Commission – “the global reference point for consumers”.

Stage: 4

Status: Next Step-Public Consultation completed. Cabinet Submission being prepared to seek approval for the policy to be tabled as a Green Paper before end of financial year 2013/2014.

Banana Policy

This policy will provide the platform for the restructuring and re-orientation of Jamaica’s banana industry in light of the decline of the export banana sector.

Stage: 4

Status: The policy was submitted to Cabinet for approval. Cabinet gave comments on the policy for incorporation by MOAF. The final results of the comprehensive banana market survey to address Cabinet’s concerns were received by MOAF in May 2011.

National Organic Policy

This policy will cover organic food and farming systems. It will address accreditation of certification bodies, development of national organic standards and legislation that will govern the production and trade of organic food. It will also address Government’s role in marketing, research and development and the provision of extension services and removal of fiscal disincentives to the organic agricultural sector. Capacity building among farmers and extension officers will also be addressed by this policy.

Stage: 4

Status: Consultation was conducted in June 2013 which resulted in the further revision of the Policy document. .

National Food and Nutrition Security Policy

The food and nutrition security policy will: (i) Define the food and nutritional goals that are to be met so that the country’s agriculture and food systems can deliver adequate and nutritionally appropriate quantities of food, especially to low-income and vulnerable groups; (ii) Make prescriptions for a structured food import replacement program and a re-orientation of food imports and the food distribution system, to increase the availability of good quality-nutritious foods in Jamaica.

Stage: 7

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Agricultural Land Utilisation Policy

This policy has been developed in response to the national imperative to guide proper administration and management of land for sustainable use that will foster agricultural growth, encourage opportunities for investment and income generation, satisfy the demand for lands for agricultural production, re-generate livelihoods for farming communities, and promote overall economic development of the country.

Stage: 5

Status: The Policy was approved by way of Cabinet Decision No. 25/11 dated 13 June 2011 pending adjustments that is now being addressed. ACP FISH II supported the formulation of an aquaculture land and water use development plan for Jamaica. The document was completed in December 2013. Aspect of the plan relating to land use is being incorporated in the Policy document.

National Seed Policy and Action Plan (2016-2025)

The policy focuses on the development of a seed system that ensures the availability of high quality seed which is accessible to end users. Seed within the context of this policy means parts of agricultural, forestry and horticultural plants intended for sowing or planting purposes.

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Status Key