EMERGENCY ACTION PLAN FOR
PLANT PESTS AND DISEASES OF QUARANTINE SIGNIFANCE TO THE STATE OF GRENADA 

	A Model for
	Grenada

	

WHAT IS IICA?

The Inter – American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA) is the specialized agency for agriculture in the Inter – American system.

As a hemispheric technical cooperation agency, IICA can be flexible and creative in responding to needs for technical cooperation in countries, through its thirty – four Technical Cooperation Agencies, its five Regional Centers and Headquarters, which coordinate the implementation of strategies tailored to the needs of each Region.

IICA’s Medium Term Plan sets outs the intended new direction and course of action for the 2002-2006 period.  The Plan reflects the new mandates from the Third Summit of the Heads of State and Government of the Americas as contained in the Summit’s Declaration and Action Plan, and Bavaro Declaration of the Ministers of Agriculture, in their first Ministerial Meeting on Agriculture and Rural Life held in the Dominican Republic in 2001.  Together, these mandates emphasize the important role of the agricultural and rural sectors in contributing to economic prosperity, hemispheric integration and the furthering of democracy.  They also identify new priorities for these sectors and place particular emphasis on poverty reduction and increasing food security as essential to the strategy for increasing rural prosperity, integrating the rural economy into the national and global economies and better using and managing the natural resource base.  Furthermore, the mandates define new institutional arrangements in the Inter-American System and identify the major issues in the hemisphere that this institution should address.

The Member States of IICA are:

Northern, Central Andean & Southern: Argentina, Belize, Bolivia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, The United States of America, Uruguay, Venezuela.

The 14 Caribbean Regional Countries: Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Bahamas, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Grenada, Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, and St. Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, St. Vincent, and the Grenadines, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago.

Its Permanent Observers are: Arab Republic of Egypt, Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, European Communities, France, Germany, Hungary, Israel, Italy, Japan, Kingdom of the Netherlands, Portugal, Republic of Korea, Republic of Poland, Romania Federation and Spain.

EMERGENCY ACTION PLAN FOR 	PLANT PESTS
AND DISEASES OF QUARANTINE SIGNIFANCE TO THE STATE OF GRENADA

	A MODEL FOR
	GRENADA

	
	MISCELLANEOUS PUBLICATION SERIES

	

	St. George’s, Grenada
	Revised May 2003

"The views expressed in this document are those of the Ministry of Agriculture, lands, Forestry and Fisheries, Grenada and do not necessarily reflect those of the Inter-American Institute
for Cooperation on Agriculture."
	CONTENTS

     List of Acronyms	v

     Acknowledgement	vi

1   INTRODUCTION	1

2   DESCRIPTION OF THE EMERGENCY ACTION PLAN	2

3   EMERGENCY ACTION PLAN FOR EXOTIC PESTS AND
     DISEASES FOR (COUNTRY)	6

3.1	Prevention of Introduction of Exotic Pests and Diseases	6
	3.1.1	            Component Activities	6
	3.1.1.1	            Plant Protection and Quarantine Laws	6
	3.1.1.2	            Surveillance	6
	3.1.1.2.1	Import Permit	6
	3.1.1.2.2	Arrival Notification	7
	3.1.1.2.3	Baggage Inspection	7
	3.1.1.2.4	Container Inspection	8
	3.1.1.2.5	Mail Inspection	8
	3.1.1.2.6	Ship and Aircraft Inspection	8
	3.1.1.2.7	Survey Activities	8
	3.1.1.3	            Proper Handling and Disposal of Garbage	9
	3.1.1.4	            Public Information	9
	3.1.1.5   	Monitoring and Review of Preventative Measures	10

3.2	Containment and Eradication of Exotic Pests and Diseases	11
	3.2.1	Action Plan:	A - Sequence of Events	11
	3.2.2	Action Plan:	B - Component and Description of Tasks	13

4	TABLES AND FIGURES

	Table 1	   Inter-institutional Composition of the National
                            Emergency Pest and Disease Committee	4

	Figure 1   Organizational Chart of the National Emergency Pest
                             and Disease Committee
	2
	Figure 2   Flow Chart - Mobilization of the National Emergency
                             Pest and Disease Committee	10

5	ANNEXES

	1 -	List of Names, Addresses and Telephone Numbers of Members of National Emergency Pest and Disease Committee

	2 -	Map of Grenada by Agricultural Region and Ports of Entry

	3 -	The Plant Protection and Quarantine Act and Regulations

	4 -	Customs Declaration Form

	5 -	Cabinet Decisions

	6 -	Sample of Declaration to be signed by Captain

	7-	Pest List of Grenada

	8-	Quarantine Pests not known to occur in Grenada

	LIST OF ACRONYMS

	AIO			Agricultural Information Officer
	AOE			Agricultural Officer Extension
	ART			Agency for Rural Transformation
	CARDI		Caribbean Agricultural Research and Development Institute
	CTO			Chief Technical Officer
	DC			Diagnostic Centre
	EAP			Emergency Action Plan
	ECS			Eastern Caribbean States
	EO			Extension Officer
	EPTF			Emergency Pest and Disease Task Force
	GCIB			Grenada Cocoa Industrial Board
	GCNA			Grenada Co Operative Nutmeg Association
	GIS			Government Information Service
	IICA			Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture
	LFC			Local Field Component
	LTL			Laboratory Team Leader
	MNIB			Marketing and National Importing Board
	MOA			Ministry of Agriculture
	NEPC			National Emergency Pest and Disease Committee
	NGOs			Non-Government Organizations
	PC			Police Component
	PMO			Pest Management Officer
	PPB			Plant Protection Board
	PPO			Plant Protection Officer
	PS			Permanent Secretary
	RFC			Regional Field Component
	ROC			Republic of China on Taiwan	
	RFCo			Regional Field Coordinator
	SADO			St. Andrew’s Development Organization
	TFCo			Task Force Coordinator

	ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

	My sincere gratitude to the Officers attached to the Pest Management Unit, Extension and Agronomy Divisions of the Ministry of Agriculture, Lands Forestry and Fisheries, Grenada for their input in developing this document.

	I would also like to thank Messrs Cosmos Joseph, IICA Representative in Grenada and Everton Ambrose, IICA Plant Protection Specialist in St. Lucia for guiding the process which resulted in this document. Finally I must acknowledge the assistance of Ms. Patricia Thomas of the Pest Management Unit for editing the original document.

1	INTRODUCTION
	Plant quarantine means the legal restrictions on the movement of agricultural commodities in order to prevent or delay the establishment of plant pests and diseases in areas where they are not known to exist.

	The objectives of plant quarantine are:
	1)	to prevent the introduction of plant pests and/or diseases;
	2)	to eradicate, control or retard the spread of any such pest or disease that has already been introduced into the country.

	It is the responsibility of all countries to prevent or retard the entry of any exotic pest or disease and to be prepared to deal with it in the event that it does enter.  Thus an action plan should include efforts to prevent or retard the entry, and an emergency operations plan when the exotic pest or disease has entered the country.

	Grenada is free from many of the serious pests and diseases of tropical crops (Annex 8).   Thus, efforts should be made to prevent these pests or diseases from entering Grenada and becoming more widely distributed.

	This means that Ministry of Agriculture, Lands, Forestry and Fisheries must be prepared to act by having the necessary physical, financial and human resources ready to be mobilized in an emergency situation.  The likelihood of introducing an exotic plant pest or disease with plant or plant products, garbage and used equipment dictates the necessity for port surveillance.   The public should be well informed of the gravity of the situation and how they might assist in preventing the entry or spread of these organisms.   Every citizen is expected to play his/her part in this operation.

	This  Action Plan for Quarantine Pests and Diseases is developed on that basis.  It is to be enforced under the cover of the Plant Protection Act of 1986 (Cap 242).

2	DESCRIPTION OF EMERGENCY ACTION PLAN
	
	The Emergency Action Plan for Pests and Diseases of Quarantine significance is an organized approach to prevent the introduction of quarantine pests and diseases into Grenada and to contain or eradicate them if they enter.  It provides for the creation of a National Emergency Pest and Disease Committee, which is responsible for its administration.  The Minister of Agriculture heads the NEPC with membership from national agencies - governmental or non-governmental as may be required (Fig 1).  It is an inter-ministerial, inter-sectoral and inter-institutional group, with representatives from various Government Ministries, statutory boards and the private sector and other institutions.  The nature of the representation ensures that it includes the required interest groups and obtains the necessary support to achieve its objectives.  The composition of, and representation on the NEPC, is shown in Table 1.  The proposed representation is not exhaustive and the Minister may invite other agencies as necessary.   Annex 1 provides a format to list the names, addresses, telephone numbers and roles of NEPC members.

	The task of the NEPC is to promulgate policies and coordinate inputs and activities of the different Government Ministries and other agencies.  The agencies represented on the NEPC have been selected based on their role in the prevention of entry of  plant pests or diseases of quarantine significance into Grenada (Annex 2) and  their possible role in the control, eradication and containment in case of an introduced pest or disease.  

	The NEPC coordinates the activities and ensures that the functions of each agency are adequately implemented.  For example, the Chief Agricultural Officer ensures that plant protection and quarantine measures are effectively carried out.   The Comptroller of Customs or his nominee ensures that Customs personnel at the ports of entry are appropriately informed of the legislation and policy decisions of the Committee concerning the surveillance of arriving passengers and agricultural produce.   The General Manager of the Airports and Sea Ports Authorities must/should ensure the proper disposal of international garbage, among other duties..

Figure 1	ORGANISATIONAL CHART OF THE NATIONAL EMERGENCY PEST 
		AND DISEASE COMMITTEE

National Emergency Pest and
 Committee (NEPC)

(Chairperson)

Emergency Pest and
Disease Task Force

(Chief Agricultural Officer/Coordinator)                             (1)

Plant Protection Board

(Pest Management Officer)

Laboratory Component

(Pest Management Officer)

Field Component
(Chief Extension Officer)

The Field Component is made up of the number of Extension Districts in the country. The Officer in Charge of the District would be designated ‘District Field Coordinator’

Police Component

Statutory Boards

Private Sector

Government Ministries

	During normal times, the NEPC meets regularly (possibly twice/year) to review and refine the implementation of procedures and to update the members on any developments as necessary.  In emergency situations, it meets as often as necessary.

	The NEPC establishes the Emergency Pest and Disease Task Force or Technical Committee with the Chief Agricultural Officer as the Task Force Coordinator. This is the technical operational committee and is responsible for all technical activities to be undertaken.   It consists of the following components:

	-	Field Component
	-	Police Component
	-	Laboratory Component
	-	Plant Protection Board

	As part of the EAP, regular field exercises are conducted (at least once/year) to enhance the reactive capacity.  There is need for strong coordination and for each person to know his/her role in the Plan.  The system should be in a state of readiness at all times.

Table 1:	INTER-INSTITUTIONAL COMPOSITION OF THE
		NATIONAL EMERGENCY PEST AND DISEASE COMMITTEE

AGENCY	DEPARTMENT
OR DIVISION	SUGGESTED
REPRESENTATIVE	
Ministry of 
Agriculture
	Administration

Department of Agriculture
and Divisions

Communications Unit	Minister/Permanent Secretary

Chief Agricultural Officer
/ Pest Management Officer

Agricultural Assistant: Communications	
Ministry of Health	Environmental Health Unit	Chief Environmental 
Health Officer	
Ministry of Civil Aviation	Airports Authority	General Manager	
Ministry of Communications, Works and Public Utilities	Grenada Ports Authority	General Manager	
Ministry of Information
	Government Information
Service (GIS)	Minister of Information
	
Ministry of Finance
and Planning	Customs

Finance	Comptroller of Customs

Permanent Secretary	
Ministry of 
National Security	Police Force; 
Her Majesty’s Prisons
Fire Department
	Police Commissioner
Commissioner of Prisons
Chief Fire Officer	
Ministry of 
Legal Affairs 	Attorney General Chambers	Crown Counsel	
Local Government	Department of Local Government	Local Government Officer	
Statutory Boards	Production/Marketing Division
MNIB, GCNA, GCIB, Minor
Spices.	General Manager
of each
	
Private Sector	Farmers’ Organizations
Chamber of Commerce
Other NGOs  (ART,
GRENCODA, SADO)	Executive Secretary or Managing Director of each
	
Other Institutions	IICA
CARDI
ROC	Local Representative	

EMERGENCY ACTION PLAN FOR PLANT PESTS AND DISEASES OF QUARANTINE SIGNIFICANCE TO GRENADA                    

3.1	ROUTINE PREVENTION OF INTRODUCTION OF EXOTIC PESTS AND DISEASES
3.1.1	Component Activities
	-	Development and Implementation of Legislation Relating to Plant Protection and Quarantine.
	-	Surveillance - Port inspection and field monitoring.
	-	Proper handling and disposal of international garbage.
	-	Public information.
	-	Monitoring and review of preventative measures.
	-	Evaluation Reports

3.1.1.1	Plant Protection and Quarantine Legislation
	The (Plant Protection Act (Cap 242) and Regulations pertaining to Grenada are given in Annex 3.  In the Act, provisions are made for the establishment of a Plant Protection Board, a component of the EPTF, which monitors plant protection and quarantine activities in the country on a regular basis.  The Plant Protection Board should meet regularly.

3.1.1.2	Surveillance - Port (Air, Sea and Frontier) and Field

	This section gives the main areas of the plant quarantine system related to surveillance activities at the international ports of entry and the field.

3.1.1.2.1	Import Permit

	All plant material entering the State of Grenada must be accompanied by an import permit.  This is issued by the Pest Management Officer with the approval of the Minister.  The decision taken should be based on a pest risk analysis.

3.1.1.2.2	Arrival Notification

	The Comptroller of Customs or his/her representative shall notify an Officer of the Pest Management Unit of the arrival at the port of any plant, planting material, fruit, vegetables, plant product, plant pest or disease, soil or any other article which may be regulated by the Plant Protection Act of  1981 (Cap 242).

	The Comptroller of Customs or his/her representative shall not release or dispose of the above-mentioned item(s), unless so authorized by the Pest Management Unit.

	An importer shall notify the Pest Management Unit in advance of the arrival of regulated material.

3.1.1.2.3	Baggage Inspection

	The passenger must hand to the Immigration Officer the signed Customs Declaration Form (Annex 4) which indicates whether he / she is carrying any regulated item(s).  The Immigration Officer stamps the form and indicates to Customs whether the passenger is carrying a regulated item.  The Customs Officer also enquires from the passenger whether he / she is carrying any regulated item(s).  The Customs Officer may examine the baggage.

	If a regulated item is present, the Customs Officer requests the services of the Plant Quarantine Officer.

	If the Plant Quarantine Officer is not on site, the Customs Officer shall detain the material and may give the passenger a retention slip.  The Customs Officer then informs the Pest Management Unit and requests that an Officer inspect the material with minimal delay.

3.1.1.2.4	Container Inspection

	It is the responsibility of the importer to ensure that the Pest Management Unit is informed of the presence of regulated material in a container.  The container should be opened by the Customs Officer in the presence of the Plant Quarantine Officer.  The Customs Officer shall not release any regulated material unless duly authorised by a Plant Quarantine Officer.

3.1.1.2.5	Mail Inspection
	
It is the responsibility of the importer to ensure that the Pest Management Unit is informed of the presence of regulated material in mail.  The Customs Officer or the Postmaster General shall not release any regulated material unless it is authorised by a Plant Quarantine Officer.

3.1.1.2.6	Ship and Aircraft Inspection

	If a Plant Quarantine Officer is present at the port, he / she shall be a member of the boarding party which also includes a Customs Officer, Immigration Officer and a Public Health Inspector.  Otherwise a Plant Quarantine Officer may board a ship or aircraft if he / she suspects that it is carrying a regulated material.

	If a Plant Quarantine Officer is not present at the ports, the Customs Officer may assist by allowing the ship's captain to sign an appropriate declaration (Annex 5).

3.1.1.2.7	Survey Activities

	Survey and monitoring activities for pests or diseases must be undertaken to determine their status in the country.  The activities may be of a general nature or for a specific pest or disease.  In both cases, the activities may involve the other Sections of the Ministry of Agriculture, other governmental and non-governmental agencies and the public. If a specific pest or disease is targeted, training in survey procedures would be necessary and the surveyors would have to ensure that all areas are covered within a specific period to time.

3.1.1.3	Proper Handling and Disposal of International Garbage

	All plant material or portion thereof, from an international carrier, to be disposed of, must be placed in a sealed container (in the carrier) to ensure that no plant pests or diseases can leave the container.  If there is no incinerator, then the garbage is disposed of (after the carrier has left territorial waters) in a manner which would not cause the introduction of exotic pests and diseases into the country and according to international regulations.

	If facilities for disposal exist, disposal shall be done under the supervision of the Pest Management Unit.

3.1.1.4	Public Information

	There should be continuous campaigns to create and maintain the public awareness of pests and diseases of quarantine importance and the need to be vigilant.

	Activities include:
	-	Regular press releases
	-	Radio and television spots, films, slides, videos
	-	Publication and dissemination of leaflets and placing of posters and / or billboards at conspicuous locations at ports of entry
	-	Provision of information to travellers, travel agents, shipping agents concerning the prohibition of entry of agricultural produce without a permit
	-	Talks to Customs, Police and other appropriate agencies.

3.1.1.5	      Monitoring and Review of Preventive Measures

	-	Monitoring and review of measures being undertaken in relation to the prevention of entry of exotic pests and diseases shall be undertaken by the NEPC.
		
Person Responsible: Minister of Agriculture / Chairman - NEPC)

	-	Conduct through the EPTF, regular education sessions for all personnel actively involved in the implementation of preventative measures, such as  Port Personnel, Customs Officers, Plant Protection/Quarantine Officers and the like including the public.

	-	Ensure that garbage disposal equipment are placed at Ports of Entry

	-	Ensure that information is available on sources of material and equipment in an emergency.

	-	Conduct (at least once / year) field exercises simulating introduction of an exotic pest or disease to test the reactive capacity of the mobilization plan for control / eradication and containment of an exotic pest or / and disease.

		Person Responsible: Chief Agricultural Officer

	-	Regular training sessions for Plant Quarantine and Extension Officers to educate and update them on symptoms of exotic pests and diseases.

	-	Ensure that the Pest Management Unit knows of reference centers for pest confirmation and approved steps for preserving and submitting material.

	-	Ensure that the Plant Protection Board is active and involved in Plant Protection decisions.

	-	Know where to source information on exotic pests.

	Person Responsible: Pest Management Officer

3.2	CONTAINMENT, ERADICATION OR CONTROL OF EXOTIC PESTS AND DISEASES
3.2.1	Part A - Emergency Action Plan (Sequence of Events)

	The EPTF implements the containment and eradication operation of the Action Plan.  The sequence of events is given below and in the flow chart (Fig. 2).

Step 1		Suspicious case seen by farmer.

Step 2		Farmer reports to Extension Officer who investigates the case.

Step 2a	Diagnosis reveals endemic pest or disease.  Farmer advised of control measures by EO. Sequence stops.

Step 2b	EO unable to identify pest or disease; reports to Plant Protection Officer.

Step 3		PPO investigates.

Step 3a	Diagnosis reveals endemic pest or disease.  EO advised of control measure.  Sequence stops.

Figure 2.	FLOW CHART FOR MOBILISATION OF THE NATIONAL EMERGENCY PEST AND DISEASE COMMITTEE

Case seen by

Confirms diagnosis

International Institutions

notifies

Identifies Diagnostic Centres

Examines specimen and pictures submitted for confirmation

Laboratory Component of Task Force

•	Set headquarters and area centres
•	Orders search for cases
•	Quarantine areas
•	Collects additional specimens
•	Added quarantine regulations

notifies

Field and Police components

Whilst waiting for
confirmation, notifies

Emergency Pest Task Force

National Emergency Pest
and Disease Committee

activates

activates

notifies

Permanent Secretary/
Minister

Chief Agricultural Officer
(Coordinator)

Instructs EO of precautions

Make field diagnosis
collect, etcc

PEST MANAGEMENT OFFICER

notifies

Instructs EO of control
measures

Extension Officer (EO)

reports to 

  advises

FARMER

Survey and monitoring

Step 3b	Diagnosis creates suspicion of the presence of a new pest or disease.  (Survey and 
monitoring activities may detect the presence of new pest or disease).  Farmer and EO given precautionary instructions, specimens collected and pictures taken for preliminary laboratory diagnosis, by PPO.

Step 4		PMO notifies Supervisor / Chief Agricultural Officer who notifies the Permanent Secretary / Minister.

Step 5		CAO activates Emergency Pest Task Force and additional samples and/or pictures are collected and dispatched by the PMO to established Diagnostic Centres for positive identification and confirmation.  Information on the pest (biology, hosts behaviour pattern to help in eradication or containment) is requested by the PMO from the Diagnostic Centres and Regional and International Organizations.

Step 6		The Minister / PS puts into operation the emergency mobilisation plan and activates the National Emergency Pest and Disease Committee and notifies the relevant Ministries and Agencies of their role.  The Minister of Agriculture notifies Cabinet and issues a declaration on appropriate internal plant quarantine regulations.

Step 7		The Emergency Pest Task Force sets up its Headquarters and area centres, orders islandwide surveys, collects additional specimens and takes pictures. The EPTC also issues general information and instructs the Field Component and Quarantine Officers.

Step 8		Report received from DC by the PMO and eradication plan is put into operation by the CAO.

3.2.2	Part B - Components and Description of Tasks
3.2.2.1	Component: National Emergency Pest and Disease Committee (NEPC)

Responsibility:  Promulgation of policies and coordination of inputs of the different Government Ministries and other agencies to prevent the entry of, control and/or eradicate any exotic pest or disease.

Functions
Person Responsible - Chairman (Minister of Agriculture)

a)	Through NEPC, promulgates policies for the prevention of entry, control and eradication of foreign pests and diseases.
b)	Coordinates the various inputs and makes available the resources of the different Ministries and agencies in achieving (a).
c)	Makes representation to Cabinet for additional financial assistance needed and in the issuance of special orders or proclamations related to (a).
d)	Ensures that all policies promulgated by the NEPC are implemented by the EPTF.
e)	Designates the Chief Agricultural Officer as the EPTF Coordinator.
f.)	Notifies International Agricultural Institutions of the presence of the pest (after confirmation).

3.2.2.2	Component: Emergency Pest and Disease Task Force (EPTF)

Responsibility:  Mobilisation and execution of the national emergency action plan and implementation of policies promulgated by the NEPC.

Functions
Person Responsible - Task Force Coordinator/Chief Agricultural Officer

a)	Serves as the Executive Officer of the NEPC and ensures that all policies promulgated are expeditiously and effectively implemented.
b)	Ensures that the EPTF is in constant alert and readiness, and schedules regular field exercises to enhance its reactive capacity.
c)	Activates mobilisation of the EPTF as soon as a report is made by the Pest Management Officer.
d)	Makes immediate notification of the NEPC for mobilisation of the EPTF.
e)	Coordinates the actions of the various components of the EPTF.
f)	Prepares and evaluates reports and documents information
g)	Coordinates the activities of all the districts and assigns personnel as needed to the District Field Coordinator. 
h)	Orders the DFCo to proceed with disinfection / disinfestation of infected / infested areas as soon as diagnosis has been confirmed.
i)	Through the DFCo, serves official quarantine notices.

3.2.2.3	Component: District Field Coordination

Responsibility:  Execution of all the field operations in the event of an outbreak of an exotic pest or disease in that area.

Ideally, the DFC shall consist of personnel within the region where the outbreak occurs.  Authority for movement of support personnel from another region is vested upon the TFCo through the Chief Extension Officer.

Functions
Responsible Person - District Field Coordinator (DFCo)

a)	Establishes a field operating unit
b)	Selects location of headquarters close to the infected / infested area(s).  Should not be more than an hour drive to the most distant point of the outbreak area.
c)	Selects suitable headquarters building with ample space for storage of supplies and equipment, suitable communications and eating facilities.  There should be ample parking space for field vehicles and should be located where there is easy flow of traffic.
d)	Makes available a map of the area under his / her jurisdiction and points out areas of infection / infestation to all DFC personnel.

e)	Establishes communication with the local authorities, public, police in order to ensure security of the infected / infested area.
f)	Refers all requests for information regarding the outbreak by the news media to the TFCo until an Information Officer from the Communications Unit has been assigned to the DFCo; gives those requesting information the telephone number of the TFCo and explains that the latter has the most complete source of up-to-date information.
g)	Establishes means of communication with personnel stationed where the problem is.
h)	Lists personnel complement of DFC and assigns them specific tasks to enable them to be put to work immediately upon arrival in the affected area.
i)	Gives specific assignments to support personnel arriving from the other regions.
j)	Requests the assignment of a secretary.
k)	Meets with all personnel every evening for debriefing on the day's activities and problems, institutes remedial measures to problems, and plans for activities for the following day.
l)	Instructs all personnel that information to be released to the media will be through the Agricultural Assistant in charge of Communications only.
m)	Gives daily debriefing reports to the TFCo.

3.2.2.4	Component:  Laboratory Services

Responsibility: Conducting preliminary diagnosis and submitting specimens to reference laboratory for confirmation of field diagnosis, and development of local capability for laboratory diagnosis.

Functions
Responsible Person: Laboratory Team Leader / PMO

This person may be the PMO or a Senior Laboratory Assistant

Functions
a)	Collects specimens for laboratory diagnosis.
b)	Assembles and keeps in constant readiness additional emergency kits for further collection and shipment of specimens.
c)	Makes prior arrangement with airlines or courier service and the reference laboratory on how specimen could be shipped as quickly as possible.
d)	Supervises shipment of hand-carried specimens.
e)	Once the EPTF is activated, makes arrangements to receive incoming specimens from the DFC and store them until confirmation is made and local laboratory diagnostic capabilities are established.
f)	Once local laboratory capabilities are established to handle diagnosis, supervises the operation of said laboratory.

3.2.2.5	Component:  Quarantine Component

Responsibility:   Establishment and staffing of quarantine and buffer zones.

Functions
Responsible person – Plant Quarantine Officer

This person is a plant quarantine staff member or a senior member of the extension service.

a)	Assists the DFCo in planning and establishing quarantine and buffer zones.
b)	Posts pest and disease warning signs on all roads at the outer perimeters of the quarantine and buffer zones.

c)	Coordinates the establishment of 24-hour police patrols (if necessary) to cover roads in both buffer, and quarantine zones to control movement of plants and other products.
d)	Establishes a list of all farms or areas that have received plants or plant products or any products which are capable of transmitting the pest or disease. 
e)	Arranges for the inspectors to visit these farms or areas and implement control measures.
f)	At his/her discretion, allows the movement, on a permit basis, of perishable crops for human consumption and other non-plant products from affected farms and farms not known to be affected within the quarantine area.
g)	Trains sufficient field personnel and establishes teams to disinfect the areas.

3.2.2.6	Component:  Information Service

Responsibility:  Dissemination of information to the media and the public

Functions
Responsible Person - Information Officer

This person is from the Comunications Unit.   The Minister of Agriculture shall immediately assign this person to co ordinate information among District Offices.

The Agricultural Assistant Communications

a)	Compiles list(s) of local news outlets (eg radio, newspaper, television) to notify of the situation.
b)	Prepares pertinent information, publication, background, materials, and photographs for distribution to media personnel.

3.2.2.7	Component:  Local Field Operations

Responsibility:  Provision of support to operations

Functions
Responsible Person - Extension Officers

a)	Examines plants referred by farmers.
b)	Reports to the Pest Management Officer without delay, the presence of suspicious pest or disease cases.
c)	Implements all instructions of the PMO to prevent spread of pest or disease.
d)	After confirmation of exotic pest and under the supervision of the DFCo, searches for cases and identifies all affected plants.
e)	Supervises and carries out destruction of all affected plants and plant parts.
f)	Implements on-the-spot disinfection and/or disinfestation of the area.

3.2.2.8	Component:  Police Component 

Responsibility: Provision of security

Functions
Responsible Person - Commissioner of Police

a)	Assists quarantine officials in securing the area.
b)	Prevents access as directed by the Quarantine Officer.
c)	Seizing of confiscated items
d)	Transporting confiscated items
e)	Communications with relevant personnel

3.2.2.9	Component:  Fire Department 

Responsibility: Supervise, monitor and assist with cutting, burning and disposal.

Functions
Responsible Person - Chief Fire Officer

a)	Makes fire equipment available.
b)	Supervises clearing and burning of infected material.

	4.  ANNEXES

ANNEX 1

LIST OF NAMES, ADDRESSES AND TELEPHONE NUMBERS
OF MEMBERS OF NATIONAL
EMERGENCY PEST AND DISEASE COMMITTEE

ANNEX 2

MAP OF GRENADA BY AGRICULTURAL REGION
AND PORTS OF ENTRY

Insert the map of the country indicating the agricultural regions and ports of entry.

ANNEX 3

THE PLANT PROTECTION ACT of 1986 (CAP 242)

ANNEX 4	
CUSTOMS DECLARATION FORM

ANNEX 5

CABINET DECISIONS

ANNEX 6

SAMPLE OF DECLARATION TO BE SIGNED BY CAPTAIN

1.  TO:	Plant Quarantine Officer

		Address:  ……..................................................................................................................
.................................................................................................................................................................  ................................................................................................................................................................

2.  NAME OF SHIP: .........................................................................................................................……

3.  NAME OF PORT OF ARRIVAL ...................................................................................................…..
    ..................................................................................................................................................................

4.  DATE OF ARRIVAL: .........................................................................................................................

5.  PORT AND COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: ..........................................................................................…..
    ..................................................................................................................................................................

6.  PORT AND COUNTRY OF LAST STOP: ...................................................................................…..
    ..................................................................................................................................................................

7.  DO YOU HAVE ITEMS REGULATED BY THE PLANT PROTECTION ACT (CAP 242)?
    ..................................................................................................................................................................
 .................................................................................................................................................................

8.  IF YES, INDICATE TYPES AND COUNTRY(IES) OF ORIGIN: .......................................………...
    ..................................................................................................................................................................
.................................................................................................................................................................

9.  DO YOU HAVE GARBAGE CONTAINING SCRAPS OR PART OR WASTE OF
    AGRICULTURAL ITEMS OR OTHER REGULATED ITEMS?
    ..................................................................................................................................................................

10.  IF YES, INDICATE WHERE THE GARBAGE IS KEPT:
     ..................................................................................................................................................................
..................................................................................................................................................................

11. SIGNATURE OF CAPTAIN: ............................................................................................................

DATE: .........................................................................

ANNEX 7

PEST LIST OF GRENADA