Fisherfolk, Farmers Views On 'Food Security' Bill Being Solicited
The Government is seeking to meet with fishers, farmers and stakeholders on the Virgin Islands Food Security and Sustainability Bill which was tabled in the House of Assembly on January 18.
This Bill seeks to establish the Virgin Islands Agriculture and Fisheries Authority to be the lead support in the future development of the agriculture and fisheries industries in the Virgin Islands.
The first meeting is with fisherfolk today, January 31 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. under the Elmore Stoutt High School Tent at Lower Estate. The second meeting is with farmers on Wednesday, February 2 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. under the Elmore Stoutt High School Tent at Lower Estate. There will also be a separate meeting with other stakeholders on Thursday, February 7 at 7:00 p.m., LIVE on Facebook @BVIGovernment or @GOVIDOAF.
The Bill can also be accessed through the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries page on the Government’s website at bvi.gov.vg or bvi.gov.vg/doaf .
The Government has promoted the BIll as one that sees the consolidation and revision of the regulations to support the primary legislation.
Minister for Education, Culture, Youth Affairs, Fisheries and Agriculture, Dr. Natalio Wheatley said he was grateful to introduce his first Bill and is thankful to the officers at the Ministry and the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries for their hard work which has gotten it this far.
“We have had so many meetings on this Bill already but we will have additional meetings in preparation to come to the House of Assembly to have a thorough debate and to go through the Bill line by line in the Committee stage to make sure we have the best Bill possible,” Dr. Wheately stated.
He added, “In order to move agriculture and fisheries to significant levels, Government will strengthen linkages to the tourism industry to create new jobs and business opportunities for our people while sustaining our culture and providing food security.”
The first meeting is with fisherfolk today, January 31 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. under the Elmore Stoutt High School Tent at Lower Estate. The second meeting is with farmers on Wednesday, February 2 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. under the Elmore Stoutt High School Tent at Lower Estate. There will also be a separate meeting with other stakeholders on Thursday, February 7 at 7:00 p.m., LIVE on Facebook @BVIGovernment or @GOVIDOAF.
The Bill can also be accessed through the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries page on the Government’s website at bvi.gov.vg or bvi.gov.vg/doaf .
The Government has promoted the BIll as one that sees the consolidation and revision of the regulations to support the primary legislation.
Minister for Education, Culture, Youth Affairs, Fisheries and Agriculture, Dr. Natalio Wheatley said he was grateful to introduce his first Bill and is thankful to the officers at the Ministry and the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries for their hard work which has gotten it this far.
“We have had so many meetings on this Bill already but we will have additional meetings in preparation to come to the House of Assembly to have a thorough debate and to go through the Bill line by line in the Committee stage to make sure we have the best Bill possible,” Dr. Wheately stated.
He added, “In order to move agriculture and fisheries to significant levels, Government will strengthen linkages to the tourism industry to create new jobs and business opportunities for our people while sustaining our culture and providing food security.”
