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News from the Caribbean as of
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Dominica sowing organic isle concept
Wednesday, April 5, 2006
by Malaika Laurent
Caribbean Net News Dominica Correspondent
Email: malaika@caribbeannetnews.com
ROSEAU, Dominica: Head of Environmental Coordinating Unit (ECU) Lloyd Pascal this week disclosed that a recommendation is before government to make Dominica a fully organic island.
The state agency official said if the proposal is given the green light Dominica may be the first country in the world to do so.
However, Mr Pascal is worried that while efforts are being in this regard there are certain harmful practices which continue among businessmen, including the importation of banned substances.
“Quite a few pesticides being used are banned in the countries that they are produced and you find that our people are importing and using them because the people who produce them are trying to get rid of their supplies,” he said.
The ECU official wants the authorities to take steps to stop the importation of the agro chemicals which are harmful to human health.
He said by becoming an organic island, Dominica could obtain an edge in marketing its agricultural products internationally.
“If we can announce to the world that we do not import or use any chemicals in our agricultural production, then we have a better edge in selling our water and the agricultural products that come from Dominica.
“The organic market is growing in the metropolis and people are looking for wholesome foods that are produced organically,” Mr Pascal said.
He believes the government should support and encourage the newly established Dominica Organic Agriculture Movement (DOAM) to ensure that agriculture production does not adversely affect human health.
“We are playing our part in putting Dominica on a path where people’s health, their well being, the foods that they eat is wholesome,” he said.
Pascal said that the ECU wants to work with the United Nations Environment Programme, the Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) and United Nations Development Programme to make the project a reality.
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