Plant Protection Board Swearing In Ceremony

The installation of the new Plant Protection Board (PPB) took place on Wednesday at the Governor General’s Office.  Eleven of the fourteen board members were present and before receiving their instruments they were advised and encouraged by Sir Dr. Rodney Williams to serve on the Board without fear or favour but with integrity and by professional standards.

The Plant Protection Board was established under Section 9 of the Plant Protection Act 18/2012. According to Dr. Janil Gore-Francis, one of the board’s primary functions is to advise the minister on the need for plant protection regulations and to make recommendations whenever a phytosanitary emergency has occurred. “The board acts in an advisory capacity to the minister in regards to the need for regulations for plant protection to be developed or be in place to deal with particular issues and to manage phytosanitary emergencies. Therefore, when there is a pest outbreak which is deemed to be an emergency, there is a process where the Board would make a recommendation to the minister that an emergency be declared and once that happens it puts in motion a number of things such as funding in order to respond and address the emergency”, explained Gore-Francis.

Based on the Cabinet decision, the Period of Appointment will be for a duration of three years (1st January, 2022 to 31st December, 2024).  Listed below are the board members and the designations.

 

MEMBER POSITION/DESIGNATION/REPRESENTATION
Dr. Janil Gore-Francis Head of the National Plant Protection Organisation
Mr. Gregory Bailey Director of Agriculture
Mr. Jahmel Ralph Ministry of Agriculture representative
Dr. Helena Jeffery-Brown Ministry responsible for the Environment
Mrs. Sylvia Samuel Ministry responsible for Trade
Mrs. Joy Dublin Ministry of Legal Affairs
Mr. David Martin The Customs Department
Lt. Cmd. Elroy Skerritt The Antigua & Barbuda Defence Force Coastguard
Mr. Devon Warner Barbuda Council
Mrs. Soria Dupie-Winston Ministry responsible for Health
Mr. Devon Graham Royal Police Force of Antigua and Barbuda
Mr. Darell George Importer and Exporter
Mr. Alvin Christian Grower and nursery owner
Mr. Jonah Ormond Secretary to the Board