Beautiful Virgin Islands

Monday, Aug 04, 2025

Food Security bill to tackle water, funding and land use problems

Food Security bill to tackle water, funding and land use problems

Agriculture & Fisheries Minister, Dr Natalio Wheatley said government’s proposed Virgin Islands Food Security and Sustainability bill will tackle several issues that affect the industry including water shortage, lack of capital, and inadequate land space.
Speaking at the public consultation for the bill last evening, Dr Wheatley said he believes the legislation has been one of the most thoroughly executed and consulted bills within this administration and possibly the history of the territory.

He noted the process started in December 2019.

Dr Wheatley highlighted that the provisions in the bill are consistent with his government’s manifesto of calling for a regulatory authority as well as conditions to develop a viable agriculture and fishing industry that will provide business and job opportunities as well as government revenues.

“And to be able to provide healthy food for our bodies, food that we basically know what is going in the food and free from pesticides that will impact the health of our body. Also, maintain our culture of people who depend so greatly on agriculture and fisheries,” Wheatley said.

He said his department believes the bill must be responsive to the need of the people in the agriculture and fishing industry and consequently, the department is modernising the legislation, some over a century old, to consolidate the Food Security and Sustainability Bill.

Dr Wheatley said the industry has been plagued by water shortage and a water policy will be in place to alleviate the problem.

“We have challenges with water and therefore we are introducing a water policy and we are making plans to build a reservoir specifically for Paraquita Bay to continue the rehabilitation of wells and even drilling new wells,” the Agriculture and Fisheries Minister said.

“We ran through the Water and Sewerage Department, a new water line from the Spring Ghut community that is coming from the Sabbath Hill community, and we will continue to do things to see if we can improve the supply of water on Paraquita Bay and any other agricultural land that we designated for use and lease,” Wheatley added.

The bill will also make provisions for the utilisation of a portion of the miscellaneous funds from the seven percent tax levied on money services transactions designated for the agriculture and fishing industry.

Minster Wheatley said the fund has amassed millions already and provides a dedicated stream of income to support the people within the industry.

“This legislation has made provisions for us to be able to provide microfinancing schemes through the agriculture and fishing authority, insurance, grants and even loan which the development bank use to be known for support the agriculture and fishing industry through loans,” Dr Wheatley continued.

Meanwhile, the minister said the bill also seeks to ensure the territory’s land use is more productive and efficient. He mentioned the land management committee implemented for Paraquita Bay and noted it will be repeated in other areas.

“Of course, the legislation makes provision for master plans of land designated for agricultural purposes to be put in place. We want to get the best out of our lands, an assessment was done, and it indicates that our lands are not utilised properly in many instances underutilised. So, we are putting plans in place to rectify those things,” Dr Wheatley said.

The stakeholder meeting last night was the last in a series of consultations hosted by the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries. Last week, the department met with farmers and fisherfolks to address concerns with the new bill.
Newsletter

Related Articles

Beautiful Virgin Islands
0:00
0:00
Close
OpenAI’s Bold Bet: Teaching AI to Think, Not Just Chat
Tesla Seeks Shareholder Approval for $29 Billion Compensation Package for Elon Musk
Nvidia is cutting prices on its RTX 50-series graphics cards after sales slowed and inventories piled up
Ghislaine Maxwell Transferred to Minimum-Security Prison Amid Ongoing DOJ Discussions
U.S. Tariffs Surge to Highest Levels in Nearly a Century Under Second Trump Term
Matt Taibbi Slams Media for Role in Russiagate Narrative
Pilots Call for Mental Health Support Without Stigma
All Five Trapped Miners Found Dead After El Teniente Mine Collapse
Ong Beng Seng Pleads Guilty in Corruption Case Linked to Former Singapore Transport Minister
BP’s Largest Oil and Gas Find in 25 Years Uncovered Offshore Brazil
Italy Fines Shein One Million Euros for Misleading Sustainability Claims
JPMorgan and Coinbase Unveil Partnership to Let Chase Cardholders Buy Crypto Directly
Declassified Annex Links Soros‑Affiliated Officials and Clinton Campaign to ‘Russiagate’ Narrative
UK's Online Safety Law: A Front for Censorship
Nationwide Protests Erupt in Brazil Demanding Presidential Resignation
Parents Abandon Child at Barcelona Airport Over Passport Issue
Mystery Surrounds Death of Brazilian Woman with iPhones Glued to Her Body
Bus Driver Discovers Toddler Hidden in Suitcase in New Zealand
Switzerland Celebrates 734 Years of Independence Amid Global Changes
U.S. Opens Official Investigation into Former Trump Prosecutor Jack Smith
Leaked audio of Canada's new PM Mark Carney admitting the truth about the Net Zero agenda: "We're gonna make a lot of money off of this."
China Enforces Comprehensive Ban on Cryptocurrency Activities
Absolutely 100% Realistic EVO Series Doll by EXDOLL (Chinese Company) used mainly for carnal purposes
World Economic Forum founder Klaus Schwab: "In this new world, we must accept... total transparency. You have to get used to it. You have to behave accordingly. But if you have nothing to hide, you shouldn't be afraid."
Meet Mufti Hamid Patel, head of Office for Standards in Education in Pakistan
George Soros tells the World Economic Forum: "President Trump is a con man and the ultimate narcissist, who wants the world to revolve around him."
Hamas are STARVING the hostages.
Decline in Tourism in Majorca Amidst Ongoing Anti-Tourism Protests
British Tourist Dies Following Hair Transplant in Turkey, Police Investigate
Poland Begins Excavation at Dziemiany After New Clue to World War II‑Era Nazi Treasure
WhatsApp Users Targeted in New Scam Involving Account Takeovers
Trump Threatens Canada with Tariffs Over Palestinian State Recognition
Trump Deploys Nuclear Submarines After Threats from Former Russian President Medvedev
Trump Sues Murdoch in “Heavyweight Bout”: Lawsuit Over Alleged Epstein Letter Sets Stage for Courtroom Showdown
Germany Enters Fiscal Crisis as Cabinet Approves €174 Billion in New Debt
Trump Administration Finalizes Broad Tariff Increases on Global Trade Partners
J.K. Rowling Limits Public Engagements Citing Safety Fears
JD.com Launches €2.2 Billion Bid for German Electronics Retailer Ceconomy
Azerbaijan Proceeds with Plan to Legalise Casinos on Artificial Islands
Former Judge Charged After Drunk Driving Crash Kills Comedian in Brazil
Jeff Bezos hasn’t paid a dollar in taxes for decades. He makes billions and pays $0 in taxes, LEGALLY
China Increases Use of Exit Bans Amid Rising U.S. Tensions
IMF Upgrades Global Growth Forecast as Weaker Dollar Supports Outlook
Procter & Gamble to Raise U.S. Prices to Offset One‑Billion‑Dollar Tariff Cost
House Republicans Move to Defund OECD Over Global Tax Dispute
Botswana Seeks Controlling Stake in De Beers as Anglo American Prepares Exit
Trump Administration Proposes Repeal of Obama‑Era Endangerment Finding, Dismantling Regulatory Basis for CO₂ Emissions Limits
France Opens Criminal Investigation into X Over Algorithm Manipulation Allegations
A family has been arrested in the UK for displaying the British flag
Mel Gibson refuses to work with Robert De Niro, saying, "Keep that woke clown away from me."
×