Walker

Director of customs, Danville Walker, has lauded the customs department for its vigilance in preserving and ensuring imported food was safe for human consumption.

The customs boss was guest speaker at a Jamaica Food Security exposition put on by final-year Bachelor of Technology degree students in agri-production and food systems management at the College of Agriculture, Science and Education in Portland last Thursday.

While Walker lauded the Customs Department for making sure imports were up to the highest standards, he also pointed to the need to reduce the amount of food that needed to come into the island.

Combating shortfalls

He said the government was spending approximately US$800 million (J$68 billion) annually for the importation of various foods to combat local shortfalls.

"Today we are placing more emphasis on agriculture," he said. "Any country that feeds itself will be able to survive. Agriculture is definitely the way forward in preserving our food security, and that is why we need to grow what we eat, and eat what we grow," said walker.

Walker pointed out that the customs department had the supreme responsibility of having to check and ensure that foods entering the island undergo rigorous checks and testing before they are approved and afforded entry.

Walker noted that intelligence on the basic hygienic, sanitary and health practices of some countries had to be guaranteed before food was accepted for distribution as some countries, including China, were somewhat tainted regarding their methods of preparing certain food.

Less sanitary conditions

It has been reported that some of these countries have less hygienic and sanitary conditions than the worldwide health standard.

Stacy Rose, policy analyst in the Ministry of Agriculture, also commended the various state agencies which contribute to the success of the country in ensuring food security.

She pointed out that the collaborated effort from the various agencies had ensured that food was available in large proportions despite the global economic downturn.