HON. FRASER EXPLORES INTERSECTORAL LINK BETWEEN HEALTH & AGRICULTURE
Following his participation in a recent meeting in Brazil, Minister for Natural Resources and Labour the Honourable Julian Fraser is looking to improve the collaboration between his Ministry and the Ministry of Health and Welfare.
The occasion was the PAHO/WHO-sponsored 12th Reunion of Inter-American Ministers for Health and Agriculture (RIMSA) in Sao Paulo, Brazil from May 1st-5th. The Hon. Mark Vanterpool, Representative for District 4 and Mr. Julian Willock, Assistant Secretray in the Ministry of Natural Resources and Labour, accompanied him. “This meeting was historic, for it was the first time in the Americas a meeting of Agricultural and Health Ministers was convened to address issues of both animal and public health,” Hon. Fraser told reporters at a press conference Monday. “It was perhaps the only forum in the world where cross cutting issues between health and agriculture were discussed at the highest political levels.”
According to the Minister, the second day of the meeting was of particular
relevance to the BVI. He said they discussed topics such as Community
Participation in the Development of Healthy Markets, Food Protection in
the Tourism Industry and in the Production of safe Fruits and Vegetables.
There were also different reports presented to Ministers from the Technical
Officers in attendance on the eradication of Foot and Mouth Disease in
the hemisphere, the status of rabies control programmes (the BVI is rabies
free) and on mad cow disease.
“These papers, reports and presentations were helpful to me and my
delegation, because they promoted dialogue on important agriculture and
health issues facing the region,” the Minister of Natural Resources
and Labour stated. “It is my goal as the Minister of Agriculture,
to see some of the information gained implemented, resulting in action
on national programmes in health promotion, greater food safety, disease
prevention, better surveillance and response.”
He said one of the important themes coming out of this meeting is the
value of intersectoral collaboration between health and agriculture. He
also said the meeting provided the BVI delegation with the opportunity
to exchange ideas and to form alliances in our mutual interest.
Minister Fraser said he was able to meet with Mr. Thomas J. Billy, Administrator
of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food Safety and
Inspection Service. “As you know, the BVI is pursuing USDA standards
as we embark on the construction of a new abattoir and seek markets up
North for our red meat,” he stated. On the second day of the meeting,
there was a special caucus of all Caribbean delegates, where Brazil’s
Minister of Agriculture and Food Supply offered technical assistance to
the Caribbean.
On the last day of the meeting, President of Brazil, the Hon. Fernando
Henrique Cardoso addressed all delegates. Before the session ended, a
few resolutions were adopted, including the creation of The Pan American
Commission for Food Safety. The main objective of this body is to press
governments in the Americas to give high priority to food and encourage
them to organize programmes involving all sectors and institutions
connected with food safety. Mr. Fraser underscored the importance of the
territory’s participation in the Brazil meeting. He said he believes
that people look to government first and foremost to protect them in ways
they cannot protect themselves. He said that makes food safety one of
the most important duties. “It is vital that the BVI stay on the
front line of new information on all matters relating to animal, plant
and human health,” said Hon. Fraser. He pledged to work with the
Ministry and Dept of Agriculture to ensure that the information and knowledge
gained at this Ministerial meeting is translated into improving the agricultural
sector. The Minister also said he would work closer with his colleague
Minister of Health and Welfare Hon. Ethlyn Smith and her ministry on prevention
measures to protect our people and the agricultural sector at all times.
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