Copyright thenassauguardian
The Bahamas Agricultural Heath and Food Safety Authority (BAHFSA) officially opened its head office and launched its mobile plant health lab on Crawford Street yesterday. The authority consists of five units, the Food Safety and Quality Unit, Plant Protection Unit, Veterinary Services Unit, Technology, Advancement and Development Unit; and an Administrative Unit. The units will conduct risk assessments, inspections, provide training and offer sanitary/phytosanitary certifications. Minister of Agriculture and Marine Resources Jomo Campbell called the opening a pivotal milestone for the authority. “This occasion transcends a mere inauguration facility,” he said during a ceremony. “It encapsulates our shared vision to protect the very foundation of our nation, our food, our pants, and our animals. “For too long, our systems for monitoring and protecting these critical sectors have worked in isolation; but with the establishment of BAHFSA, we take a bold step forward by unifying our efforts under one science-driven organization.” The authority was established in 2016 and is responsible for overseeing the enforcement of the Food Safety and Quality Act 2016, the Animal Health and Production Act 2016, and the Plant Protection Act 2016. The units were equipped with a bus that contains apparatus useful for inspections and other forms of assessments but the mobile units. BAHFSA Chairman Dr. Patricia Symonette said the bus will aid in strengthening food safety. “Today’s milestone with the unveiling of the mobile plant protection lab adds mobility to the mission,” she said. “This mobile plant health laboratory helps to deploy diagnostics quickly, containing threats faster, protecting yields and livelihoods and keeping our export pathways open. “It’s science on wheels.”
