Walwyn warns govt: Get priorities in order!

Opposition Leader Myron Walwyn has called on the government to urgently address food security in light of recent tariffs imposed by US President Donald Trump.

In a recent message issued by the Opposition Leader, Walwyn highlighted that fines on Chinese-made container ships entering US ports will directly affect the Virgin Islands. He stressed that these tariffs are expected to raise global food prices, significantly impacting the territory.

Walwyn’s remarks add to ongoing concerns about the territory’s dependence on external food sources. With new US tariffs likely to raise import costs, the Opposition Leader has renewed calls for a concrete agricultural plan to ensure the BVI’s resilience in times of global disruption.

He noted that Florida serves as the primary hub for food supplies to the Caribbean region, and the BVI relies heavily on it for fruits, vegetables, and other commodities. “These imposed tariffs will increase the cost of suppliers, and this cost will be passed on to the consumers,” he asserted.

He pointed out that this situation underscores the need for the BVI to enhance its food security measures. “Here in the BVI, this should serve as another wake-up call to us that we must move post-haste to address the issue of food security,” he stated. Walwyn criticised the government’s previous inaction on this matter, expressing hope that they would now recognise the territory’s vulnerability to external economic shocks.

The opposition leader urged the government to realign its spending priorities, suggesting that funds allocated to entertainment could be better used to support agriculture. “Monies that are being spent on things of far less importance, such as shows and other forms of entertainment, should take a back seat to the issue of agriculture and food security,” he argued.

Walwyn referenced past crises, including Hurricanes Irma and Maria, the COVID-19 pandemic, and the ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia, as instances that exposed the BVI’s food supply vulnerabilities. “We saw the dangers following Hurricanes Irma and Maria. We saw the dangers during COVID. We saw the dangers during the Ukraine and Russia War. And now here we are again without a plan for the agricultural industry,” he cautioned.

He also highlighted the current challenges faced by local farmers, particularly the inconsistent water supply in areas like Paraquita Bay. “The situation is so dire that up to this point, we cannot find a way to provide a reliable supply of water to farmers in Paraquita Bay and elsewhere,” he noted.