Caribbean Times 97th Issue - Tuesday 14th February 2017

More documents

Recommendations

Info

6 c a r i b b e a n t i m e s . a g Tuesday 14th February 2017 Minister Greene responds to protest over YASCO By Marver Woodley Just weeks after a protest by concerned members of the public for the completion of the Country’s lone track and field facility, the YASCO Sports Complex, their cries are being heard. The demonstration and passive/aggressive action has caused the Nation’s Minister of Sports to acknowledge the public and do something about the continued delay for work to be done at the facility. This is according to reports that the Minister, the Honourable EP Chet Greene has extended his hand to meet with the general public, coaches, protesting groups, coaches and all other interested persons to meet with him whenever they deem fit as a group to hash over the plans for the completion of the facility and the reason for the ongoing protests. This is not the first time the Minister has offered the public an opportunity to let their grievances be known about the facility as the field is not internationally recognized nor is it fit for persons specifically athletes to utilize. The group went so far as requesting a donation of pass-byers to aid with the upgrading of the grounds, an overall act the Minister considers as “devious” while speaking to a local Media House on Tuesday. As he has extended numerous invitations and countless opportunities for Minister of Sports, the Hon., E.P. Chet Greene concerned participants to converse with him on the issue, none of which have been utilized. cont’d from pg 5 preparedness for export trading within the region.” The report noted that “Multiple handling failures along the chain are likely the cause of the most frustrating complaints by international buyers.” Dr. Gordon, who oversaw the Jamaica ackee industry’s transformation that made it compliant with US Food and Drug Administration regulations in the early 2000s so that it could gain access to the US market, explained to IPS the obstacles facing Caribbean exporters. “The problem in general with all agribusiness companies in the Caribbean is typically lack of technical capacity and knowledge of the requirements and lack of the resources to implement the systems as required,” he said. However, Dr. Gordon said, “The cultural change that is required is probably the biggest single limitation to implementing and sustaining certification systems…If the management and ownership [of agribusinesses] do not have a vision of becoming global players then the effort and resources required are going to seem unattainable and not good value for money. A lot of firms have issues with understanding the value for money proposition of embarking on a certification programme.” The briefing paper “SPS measures lead to high costs and losses for developing countries”, published not long after the EU mandated HACCP certification for all exporters to the EU, noted that “As the income level of developing countries is far smaller, …the opportunity cost of compliance is relatively far higher than that for developed country exporters. “The rapid change in SPS measures, regulations and notifications of new regulations is another problem facing developing countries in preparing for compliance. It also imposes extra costs on investors and exporters and creates uncertainty for them.” However, the paper’s author concluded, “while the cost of compliance is high, the cost of lack of compliance is even higher” because of loss of market share or reduced access to markets. Dr. Gordon revealed that in 2010, the Caribbean had the second highest level of food rejections of any region at US ports of entry. A March 2016 FAO report highlighted other issues hindering Caribbean agribusinesses in their efforts to export. The report states: “A number of deep-seated challenges inhibit Caribbean agriculture diversification and competitiveness: the small and fragmented nature of most farm units; the absence of strong farmer grass-roots organizations; the cost of agricultural labor; the ageing demographics of Caribbean farmers; an education system that does not prepare youth to seek employment opportunities in the agricultural sector; and extension systems that have historically focused on managing the traditional export crops.” The problem of small farm units is being addressed head on, said CABA’s president Vassel Stewart, with the formation of CABEXCO, a new umbrella organisation for SMEs in the Caricom agribusiness sector, which will jointly procure raw materials and services as well as market its members’ products and reach out to new buyers. The resulting economies of scale will also hopefully make it easier to bear the cost of becoming compliant with US and EU food export regulations. (Caribbean360)
Tuesday 14th February 2017 c a r i b b e a n t i m e s . a g 7 Haiti PM steps down PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti – Haiti’s Prime Minister Enex Jean-Charles has resigned to allow the country’s new president to form a new government. Jean-Charles, who was appointed in March last year by interim president Jocelerme Privert, submitted his letter of resignation on February 9, two days after Jovenel Moise was sworn in as the French-speaking nation’s new president. Moise has already begun consultations to choose a PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad – Two young Trinidadian parents are anxiously awaiting police investigations into whether they will be held responsible for causing the tragic death of their child. The parents, whose names have not been released, fed the 11-month-old baby girl sleep medication in her tea, despite being advised by a pharmacist that the drug was not fit for children. The infant slipped into a coma and subsequent scans revealed she was brain dead. The Trinidad Newsday reports that on January 31, the father of child purchased a sleeping drug identified as melatonin – a man-made form of a hormone produced in the brain that helps to regulate sleep – to include in the baby’s formula to help her sleep, as she successor for Jean-Charles. Reports in the local media have indicated that businessman Olivier Barreau and former Senator Gabriel Fortuné are among those rumoured to be in the running. Moise does not need Parliamentary approval to choose a new prime minister, under a constitutional amendment that came into effect as he took office, although whoever is chosen needs the approval of the legislature for his policies. (Caribbean360) Trinidad police investigate death of baby who was given sleep medication despite warnings was having trouble doing so. After being fed the medication, the child fell asleep around 8 p.m. But half an hour later, when the mother went to check on her, the baby girl was found upside down in a clothes basket in an unresponsive state. The mother made frantic efforts to revive her daughter but after no success, the baby was taken to the Chaguanas Health Centre where an initial test revealed that the infant had possibly suffered catastrophic injury, hypoxic injury and retinal haemorrhaging. The baby was later transferred to the Children’s Hospital in Mount Hope and placed on a respirator. Two brain tests on the baby revealed she was clinically brain dead and a decision was taken to pull the respirator plug on Monday. Enex Jean-Charles was in the position since last March when he was appointed by the interim president. Since then, police have been questioning the parents to find out whether they should be held responsible for the child’s death. Meanwhile, the pharmacist who sold the drug to the child’s father has offered to cooperate with police investigating the matter. He confirmed that the father did request melatonin for the child but he had advised the man that the drug should not be given to infants because there was no data indicating it was safe for children. The pharmacist said he denied the man’s request for the medication, because he had no prescription. However, the man later claimed he was having trouble falling asleep and he wanted the drug for his own use and he was sold the melatonin. (Caribbean360)
Page 1 and 2: Informative, reliable, enriching! T
Page 3 and 4: Tuesday 14th February 2017 c a r i
Page 5: Tuesday 14th February 2017 c a r i

Caribbean Times 97th Issue - Tuesday 14th February 2017

Create successful ePaper yourself

Delete template?

Save as template?