Agriculture Minister Dr Natalio Wheatley has revealed plans to introduce a modern Food Security and Sustainability Bill to the House of Assembly which will seek to replace some of the older legislation which is nearing almost a century in age.
Dr. Wheatley made the announcement while delivering a speech during the World Food Day ceremony over the weekend.
He said that since his appointment as minister, he has been a major advocate for a stronger legislative framework to better govern the agriculture and fisheries sector in the territory.
“In fact, some aspects of our legislation are around 100 years old. That is why I’ve been pushing hard for the Food Security and Sustainability Bill. Last year, we conducted various stakeholder consultations on the draft bill and we have been able to make recommendations for improving the Bill based on the feedback received. I’m pleased that we recently obtained a revised draft of the Bill from the Attorney General’s Chambers and we are now aiming to submit it to Cabinet in the coming weeks and then to the House of Assembly,” he stated.
Marketing Authority to be established
Dr. Wheatley also revealed some of the new developments that will arise from the Bill once passed in the House and assented to by the governor.
These include the establishment of a marketing authority that will assist in regulating agriculture and fisheries products in the territory at one common standard of quality.
“Among the main aims of this bill is the establishment of an effective mechanism to promote food security and sustainability in the territory, through the Virgin Islands, Agriculture and Fisheries Marketing Authority. Don’t forget that name. We expect that the authority will have greater flexibility than the department and will be able to purchase directly from farmers and fishers, so that farmers and fishers can focus more on what they do best, farm and fish. It doesn’t mean that we can’t have nice markets like this, but you will have the quality of the product to the department standards. You will have a guaranteed market for your produce,” Minister Wheatley explained.
He added, “This new bill is comprehensive and will also include standards for both sectors to improve the quality of what is being produced and sold in the territory.”
Dr. Wheatley said while the territory’s current production levels of agriculture and fisheries products are not where they were many years ago, there are plans to make progressive strides in the two industries with the goal of feeding the people of the Virgin Islands.