Plant Quarantine Produce Inspection Branch – crucial to maintaining Jamaica’s plant health

The Plant Quarantine Produce Inspection (PQPI) Branch is Jamaica’s first line of defense against the introduction of exotic pests and diseases. This Branch is mandated to ensure that only the highest quality, pest free plants, plant products, fresh agricultural produce and other regulated articles are exported from and imported into the island.

In support of our mandate our major areas of focus for 2022 were:

1. Sensitising the Jamaican public regarding the threat of Giant African Snail

2. Improving the Import process through JSWIFT

3. Trading Paperless Phytosanitary Certificates on the IPPC- Generic National System for Electronic Certificates (GENS)

4. Expanding our services to exporters/importers through our outstations

5. Standardisation of our export processes through ISO/IEC 17020 accreditation

Giant African Snail (GAS) Giant African Snail (GAS)

The Giant African Snail is widespread in the Lesser Antilles, Trinidad and Cuba. It is approximately 15 cm in length and can go up to 20 cm. This pest has not been detected in Jamaica. The Branch in collaboration with its stakeholders is currently conducting surveillance activities for this invasive species. Preparations are being made in the event the pest is detected. Webinars and identification training have been hosted as well as flyers distributed to aid in public awareness.

Jamaica Single Window for Trade (JSWIFT)

The Branch launched the Import Permit application and Pest Risk Analysis processes on the JSWIFT Platform since March 1st, 2021. This portal has been effective and has made the process of applying for an import permit and Pest Risk Analysis more efficient and effective.

The PQPI Branch was the second Border Regulatory Agency to join this platform (Trade Board was the first). This new platform represents a change in the way Jamaica do business with the establishment and implementation of a tool that provides a one stop shop paperless service within a single submission trade mechanism. The Single Window system was also implemented right in the heart of the COVID 19 pandemic. This system facilitated trade during the height of the pandemic and further help to reduce risk and improve the ease of doing business. The PQPI Branch is currently working with the JSWIFT team to launch the export platform in 2023.

Trading Paperless Phytosanitary Certificates

Jamaica became one of the first Caribbean Countries to implement the IPPC online system “GENS” to send and receive phytosanitary certificates from other National Plant Protection Organization. The system currently allows Jamaica to receive certificate at one instant click from any country that is registered to the platform long before the goods even reach Jamaica and vice versa.

The system now allows Jamaica to trade Phytosanitary Certificates with USA, EU member states, Argentina, Costa Rica, Dominica, just to name a few. We await other Caribbean countries to quickly come on board. In 2021 Jamaica partnered with the United States Department of Agriculture and Dominica to develop a road map to provide practical information to assist other member states on how to implement this online system.

Plant Quarantine Outstations

As the Branch continues to expand its operations to facilitate export trade across Jamaica; we recently opened an outstation at the Rada Office located in Mandeville. This office also services the parishes of St. Elizabeth and Clarendon. The Other existing PQ Outstations locations include:

1. Kingston Export Complex, Norman International Airport

2. Montego Bay Export Complex, Sangster International Airport

3. Boundbrook Boat Yard Port Antonio, Portland

4. Reynolds Pier, Ocho Rios.

5. Mandeville at the Rural Agricultural

Development Authority (RADA) Manchester Parish Office

These outstations facilitate non-commercial export inspections of plant products such as dried herbs.

CONTACT INFORMATION

Plant Quarantine Produce Inspection Branch (Head Office) 193 Old Hope Road, Kingston 6 (876) 977-6401 / (876) 977-0637

Email: ppq@moa.gov.jm

Kingston Export Complex

Normal Manley International Airport T: (876) 924-8906/ (876) 924-8865 Email: pqkingston@moa.gov.jm

Montego Bay Export Complex Sangster International Airport Telephone: (876) 9404146

Email : pqmobay@moa.gov.jm

Tricia Clarke, information officer at the JCA, interacts with a client at the Customs Booth during an exhibition at the Ministry of Finance and Public Service on August 20, 2022. As part of the Agency’s stakeholder engagement strategy, Jamaica Customs participates in several community outreach initiatives each year.

Tameka Goulbourne (L), Senior Director, Internal Affairs (JCA) interacts with members of the World Customs Organisation (WCO) during an Integrity Perception Seminar in Kingston in 2022.