GEORGE TOWN, Cayman Islands, CMC – The Cayman Islands authorities has handed the Plant Safety Act, 2023, via parliament to tighten the principles round importing vegetation which will harbor pests and threaten the native flora.
Cayman’s native vegetation and bushes are in danger from a spread of latest plant pests, such because the ever-present mealybug to the varied polyphagous pests on Christmas bushes, as landscapers and residential gardeners import an ever-growing number of non-native vegetation and bushes.
Officers have stated that the brand new laws, which replaces the Vegetation (Importation and Exportation) Act (1997 Revision), gives a extra strict however complete regime.
Those that breach the brand new regulation and import vegetation with out the right permits might resist two years in jail or a hefty superb.
The regulation establishes a system of permits for imports, exports, and the transit of vegetation, plant merchandise, and different regulated articles, creating powers that may be exercised within the occasion of pest outbreaks and different emergencies.
It additionally establishes an administrative and enforcement construction.
The goal is to enhance the safety of Cayman’s cultivated and native vegetation with extra sturdy nationwide safeguards in opposition to alien plant pests whereas facilitating the protected and efficient commerce in plant and plant merchandise.
The brand new laws harmonizes native legal guidelines with worldwide phytosanitary (plant well being) requirements established by the Worldwide Plant Safety Conference.
It additionally establishes a Nationwide Plant Safety Organisation and makes the Division of Agriculture chargeable for exercising the powers and performing the capabilities of the NPPO.
The brand new laws offers with the provisions for imports, exports, re-exports, and transits, in addition to the mechanisms and authorizations for the management, eradication, and administration of pests via varied declarations, together with quarantine or regulated pests, pest-free areas, quarantine areas, and phytosanitary emergencies.
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