Twenty-two itinerant traders (“traffickers”) received over EC$65,000 from the Ministry of Agriculture in Kingstown to cover losses after their goods were returned following days of industrial action in Trinidad and Tobago earlier this year.
The commodities, bananas, plantains, eddoes, coconuts, ginger and soursops were returned to SVG when plant quarantine officers at the CARICOM Jetty in Port of Spain went on strike demanding a resolution to a 42-year-old matter of a reclassification of their jobs.
Minister of Agriculture Saboto Caesar noted that the losses incurred by the traders were not their fault and the ministry was cognizant that assistance would be needed to offset some of the cost as a result of the incident. Several farmers were still being owed by traders as a result of the development.
Caesar said the ministry will continue to support the endeavours of traffickers as they serve as an integral part of the agricultural sector in SVG.
The Grenadian government has also assisted Grenadian traders who were also affected by the industrial action in Port-of-Spain.
Farmers who have outstanding balances to be settled by traffickers are advised to contact the relevant traffickers.
Zuleika Lewis
Mobalisation Officer
Ministry of Agriculture