Gov’t clamping down on importation of exotic plants, animals
Government is planning to clamp down on the importation of exotic animals and plants into the territory.
This was revealed by Immigration Minister Vincent Wheatley in the Fifth Sitting of First Session of the Fourth House of Assembly on Tuesday, July 16.
The clampdown is to be reflected in the government’s Trade In Endangered Species (Cites) Act, 2019 – a new piece of legislation that Wheatley introduced to the House that same day.
Prior to introducing the bill, Minister Wheatley said: “As persons are travelling more and more and are more prone to travel with pets and so forth, we are seeing a problem making our territory with persons wanting to bring exotic animals and plants into the territory.”
“As we are trying to revive agriculture in our eight sectors, it’s very important that we understand the implications of this activity,” he further explained.
The legislator had announced in the House of Assembly in June that government will be spending $6.4 million on an immigration management system to improve the border security in the British Virgin Islands.
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Smart move for the country…
Good legislation. We already have rabies control for dogs and cats…The BVI is rated rabies-free…but very good to see the endorsement of CITES.
Regarding plants, currently all importd plants need a Ficus Sanitair certificate. I have never heard of any endangered species of plants being imported. Exotic means any plant not indigeneous to the Territory…if enforced then no Bougainvillea, any palms other than one species of Royal, out thatch palm, Cocotrinex(Sp?) …I guess by now Coconut palms.
Who drafted the plant material list?
We’re a tourist economy…they want exotic!
Good move Minister.
Tortola needs to import exotic plants . Agriculture is a far way from starting to become a prodoctive pillar. In the meantime, where would you get plants. The place dry like chips plants are not triving as they should. Where did you learn- import to proprogate. Wonder where these fellas get their powers of logic from
Protect your borders with a $6.5mil system? Really? Protect it from whom? How about spend $6.5mil and buy a new incinerator and a system that turns trash to power. Sounds like it’s the new Administration time to full their pockets. This new system does exactly what for the people? The government is broke and instead of spending wisely money is spent on crap. Bring in the Brits!!!!
And to whom is this measure guaged?
If I’m not mistaken, exotic animals abound plentifully on far away exotic islands and some have claimed that festival booths may be serving “exotic” meats as delicacies during the August festivities!
And as for the “exotic” flora and fauna,how will government effectively guage such activities with open sea borders?
Government’s need to reign in “exoticsities” could be “a day late and a penny short”, given the late stage of the game that it finds itself in!
Hope they clamp down on the importation
of exotic dancers too.
LMAO!!! Too true
Then who goin gee us wife you?
And the “ONGFONG” too
You need too include customs n police on it too.we need to stop wasting Gov money on just one sector.
What are we going to do with those alligators in baugher’s bay?????
Where are the alligators in Baughers Bay? I live there. I never saw one, unless they are in your house
Government needs to crack down on anything “exotic” including the dancers
The guy in baughers bay with them big a** snakes…. feeding them cats and dogs.
He full of tatto and got a scooter business pier park. I dont remember he name.