Agriculture Minister vows action on ‘unnecessary’ imports

Government is moving to curb imports of food and agricultural products that can be produced locally, with Agriculture Minister Dr Shantal Munro-Knight signalling closer scrutiny of imported commodities.

The minister revealed that officials are already reviewing pork and sugar imports as part of efforts to reduce what she described as unnecessary imports and strengthen domestic production.

Addressing the Barbados Agricultural Society’s annual general meeting at the Lloyd Erskine Sandiford Centre on Saturday, Munro-Knight said the Ministry of Agriculture had raised concerns with the ministry responsible for business and commerce over pork imports, arguing that local producers have the capacity to satisfy local demand.