Food security legislation passes through HOA! Now awaits assent
The Virgin Islands Food Security and Sustainability Act was passed during in the House of Assembly on Tuesday, April 19 and only the Governor’s assent remains for the Act to officially become law.
Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries Dr Natalio Wheatley said this was a step in the right direction to further develop the Agriculture and Fisheries industry in the territory.
“I am overjoyed by the passage of this historic bill, which will help revolutionise food production in the territory by providing an agile and semi-autonomous authority capable of supporting the agricultural and fishing industries while strengthening regulation, data management, research, and oversight,” Wheatley said.
Dr Wheatley thanked members of the House and members of the panel who contributed during the committee stage of the deliberation of the Bill.
The Food Security and Sustainability Act seeks to provide for the establishment, powers and functions of the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries and the Virgin Islands Agriculture and Fisheries Authority and respect the effective administration and management of agriculture and fisheries resources of the territory.
It also speaks to the development and review of the policy for sustainable agricultural production, food security and food safety to ensure that the sound and sustainable production, management and use of food for Virgin Islanders, residents and visitors to the territory while addressing the impacts from climate change and disasters on food production.
Copyright 2024 BVI News, Media Expressions Limited. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or distributed.
That will be the last we hear of it.
Why was this whole thing done behind closed doors? Something fishy about this!
If you look closely you will see that nothing much was really done…
public consultations galore. The process is the bill is read a first time in the HOA. The second and third comes with thee debate and then committee stage. Change the constitution if you want this changed. Get from under England if you want this to change.
public consultations galore. The process is the bill is read a first time in the HOA. The second and third comes with thee debate and then committee stage. After Committee stage the bill is voted on. The QUESTION YOU SHOULD BE ASKING is WHERE WAS THE OPPOSITION WHEN THE VOTE WAS CAST????? Change the constitution if you want this changed. Get from under England if you want this to change.