Opposition Spokesperson on Agriculture J.C. Hutchinson is this afternoon bemoaning the great peril to which farmers are now exposed, in light of the re-emergence of the 'Beat Army Worm" and the lacklustre response of the Ministry of Agriculture to the farmers' plight.   
 
Mr Hutchinson indicated that the most recent outbreak of 'Beat Army Worms' is ravaging a variety of condiments, including peppers, onions and escallions.  He argued that with the increased cost of pesticides being bourne by the farmers, the Ministry of Agriculture's ineffective response thus far has dealt a double blow to the sector.
 
In underscoring the need for urgent government intervention, Mr. Hutchinson pointed to the many farmers, particularly those in St. Elizabeth, who have been losing acres of produce over the past 2 months - one farmer losing an entire 4 acres of onion.  according to Mr. Hutchinson, the outbreak is rapidly spreading beyond condiments to fruits and vegetables such as tomatos, cantelope and watermelon.
 
The Opposition Spokesman said: 'I am imploring the Minister of Agriculture to intervene immediately and put in place measures to curtail the devastation of produce and the loss of the investment made by our hard-working farmers.  If the corrective measures are not taken immediately, the destruction wrought by the pests is going to compromise the supply of vegetables and condiments resulting in additional importation and price increases to consumers".

CONTACT:
Mr. JC Hutchinson, MP.
Opposition Spokesperson on Agriculture
Tel: 392-7430