Contributed
The interception of shipments of illegal guns and ammunition is of course, of grave concern. The find that exotic animals are also being smuggled in adds another layer of concern for the country. Exotic animals being smuggled into the country can pose various threats, such as bringing in diseases. Reports state that both live and dead birds were found in one shipment. Both sets could be carrying diseases. Of immediate concern is Bird Flu which has affected several countries. An epidemic here could decimate our poultry industry, bringing hardship to producers and consumers of chicken meat. Also at risk would be our wild bird population, including our endemic species. Animals, such as monkeys and dogs, can also bring in parasites such as ticks which can cause disease in humans. Animals which are imported legally have to serve a quarantine period during which they are closely monitored for diseases before release.
Both animals and plants which are brought into the country can be harmful. Harmful exotics are labelled as invasive. Invasive species are exotics that can cause ecological, economic, or human health problems. Often invasives displace native species by eating or out-competing them, which can eventually lead to the extinction of native species. The introduction of the mongoose to control rats on sugar plantations in the 19th century led to the extinction or dimunition of native animals such as ground-nesting birds, snakes and lizards. There is the modern-day example of imported deer which are now causing damage to farming in eastern Jamaica. Their potential impact on endemic plants is not known. The introduction of any animal or plant must be carefully evaluated and potential negative long-term impacts taken into account before a decision to import is made.
To go back to the issue of smuggling of exotics, I recommend that NEPA and other responsible entities carry out a programme to familiarize the public with the dangers of smuggling in exotics and provide a means by which the public can anonymously report any suspicious activity. Perhaps CRIMESTOP could provide this service?
Contribute by
Dr. Barbara Carby
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Most of these people who take part in buying of or smuggling of these exotic animals know the dangers but they don't care.
ReplyDeleteThere should be a way or a program to introduce new plants species to the island. A lot of the plants that we eat from in Jamaica were brought here by the early settlers in ships. There are a lot of other tropical plants, fruits and vegetables that I have seen in other parts of the world that I think would do well here. Some of which are being imported. I think it was in the 60s or 70s that the Egret, or what we call the “white galling”, was brought here to control ticks on cattle. Remember when we had to import a new breed of goats to improve the quality of our local livestock ?. Dr. Lucky (RIP), introduced the Jamaican red and Jamaican black breed of cows. We need to be more open minded about some of these things
ReplyDeleteProcedures are in place for the importation of all items in the country, which include plants and animals. Some items are banned, though. First, ensure that you have permission to export from the country of origin. Plants and animals have to be quarantined to ensure that they are disease-free before being allowed into the country. Jamaica as far as I know continue to improve its stock of animals by imported from overseas and also by artificial insemination.
DeleteThe silence from the Police is concerning about the 233 guns & 4000 bullets. This must not be another 9 days wonder. The Public needs to know who are the Jamaican killers. No cover up with this one 💪🏾
DeleteThe police probably cannot say it all now during the investigation, but the lack of information months and years after will certainly cause the public to become suspicious. We still have not heard anything further about that plane from South America that crash-landed in Clarendon, and the passengers disappeared.
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