Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries

Address by Honorable Ignatius Jean to open
Pesticides Awareness Week
September 25th - October 1st, 2005
 September 25th, 2005

Theme: Integrating Actions for Safe Chemical Management

Fellow Saint Lucians, it’s another year since we observed Pesticides Awareness Week. Safe chemical management ought not to be an event we remember once a year. Safety first must be a way of life. We must make the protection of human health and the environment the absolute priority in pest and disease management decisions.

Toxic chemicals, pesticides and other agro chemicals are used to enhance production of goods and services in sectors such as agriculture, manufacturing and tourism.  At the same time, if these chemicals are not  properly utilized, they may adversely affect human health and the environment.

How can we balance the risks to humans, plants, animals and the environment posed by the presence of toxic substances as against the benefits to society? We cannot prevent the use of pesticides and toxic chemicals in our country but we can ensure that they are utilized and managed wisely so as to safeguard human health, our natural resources and our environment, while enhancing our economic development.

The theme for Pesticides Awareness week 2005 which commences Sunday 25, September is
“ Integrating Actions for Safe Chemical Management”. This theme emphasizes the value and necessity of partnerships among agencies, individuals and communities engaged in environmental management strategies, as well as the general public.  The Government of Saint Lucia has initiated several policies, strategic action plans and legislation aimed at food safety, protection of the environment and sustainable agricultural and industrial development. Many of these initiatives require a collaborative approach or mechanism for successful implementation. Last month the Cabinet of Ministers approved the establishment of a National Agricultural Health, Food Safety and Standards Committee whose mandate is to establish a national mechanism that strengthens the capacity of the country to protect human, plant and animal health as they relate to domestic and international trade.

The membership of this committee will be drawn from a number of sectors and would include representatives from:

• Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries
• Ministry of Health, Human Services, Family Affairs and Gender Relations
• Saint Lucia Bureau of Standards
• Ministry of Tourism, Commerce & Consumer Affairs and Investment
• Ministry of Justice
• Private Sector – CABA, Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture
• SLHTA
• Fiscal Planning
• Other persons/ technical expertise to be co-opted as required, including civil society.

The Pesticides and Toxic Chemicals Control Board which was appointed in 2004 is currently engaged in the review and amendment of the Pesticides & Toxic Chemicals Control Act of 2001 and associated regulations to include sections related to implementation of the Chemical Weapons, Rotterdam and Stockholm Conventions. The Ministry also hopes to submit a memorandum to the Cabinet of Ministers for the establishment of a Pesticides and Toxic Chemicals Control Authority which will be responsible for the day to day operations of implementing the provisions of the Pesticides and Toxic Chemicals Control Act. 

The Government of Saint Lucia has endorsed two regional initiatives which were developed and will be implemented through a collaborative and integrated approach involving a number of national and regional agencies:

1. The strategy for improved management and use of agro-chemicals in the Caribbean.  This strategy
   was forwarded to and approved by Ministers of Agriculture at COTED (Council on Trade and
   Economic Development).

2. The establishment of the Caribbean Agricultural Health and Food Safety Agency (CAHFSA)
   which will support the work of the National Agricultural Health, Food Safety and Standards
   committee.

In Saint Lucia and indeed the rest of the Caribbean, there is still much work to be carried out if we are to fulfill the obligations of the various trade, environmental or other agreements or treaties that we have ratified as a country.

We recognise that no individual, government or agency can achieve a safe chemical environment. However, if we all commit to working together to promote our economic viability while safeguarding the health of our people, our environment and our biodiversity not only during Pesticides Awareness Week but on a daily basis. This is an effective way to achieve our goal and objectives of a safe chemical management plan.

I wish all Saint Lucians - chemical suppliers, manufacturers, farmers, households and all who use chemicals - a thought filled Pesticides Awareness Week and remember always safety first through “Integrating Actions for Safe Chemical Management.”

Thank you.