The Ministry of Agriculture in a release yesterday, noted, that Shipments of agriculture produce to Barbados which were suspended for the last two weeks, as the region continues to battle with the negative resultant implications of the COVID 19 pandemic, however traders have since made contact with their Barbados counterparts and will be conducting the first shipment under this revised regime on Monday 20th April, 2020.
Hon. Saboto Caesar, noted that over the last 14 days, Vincentian traders were advised by the Ministry of Agriculture in SVG, to establish a mechanism to restart the trade without having to travel to Barbados.
Traders who traditionally travel to Barbados weekly now face flight constraints and quarantine restrictions. This is similar to the situation which has already been resolved with traders exporting to Trinidad and Tobago.
Agriculture trade to Trinidad and Tobago has continued without major disruptions.
The Minister of Agriculture, continues to thank farmers, traders, policy makers in importing countries, the OECS and CARICOM Secretariats, technicians in Ministries in the region, vessel owners and shipping agents, for ensuring that this very important trade continues.
The farmers and agriculture traders of St. Vincent and the Grenadines are honouring the call for food from regional neighbours, while ensuring that food security locally remains a priority.
