Source document: https://docs-lawep.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/1698843381395.pdf (Saint Vincent and the Grenadines)
The week of September 23-28, 2018 was recognized as Pesticides Awareness Week.

The Pesticides Control Board, the body responsible for regulating the use of pesticides throughout St. Vincent and the Grenadines, is cognizant of the role pesticides play in the everyday life of Vincentians mainly in farming and the control of pests around the home.

By far, most of these pesticides are used in agricultural production in the form of insecticides, fungicides, herbicides and to a lesser extent bactericides.
The Board would like the general public to recognize that all pesticides carry some level of danger therefore urges the following:  Pesticides should only be used when absolutely neces- sary or as last resort.

 Pesticides should be used only for the intended pur- poses.

 Pesticides should only be used at the recommended rates.

 The pre-harvest interval must be adhered to.

(This is the peri od between spraying and harvesting)  Pesticides should not be used near waterways.
 All pesticides should be kept out of the reach of chil- dren.

 All pesticide containers should be properly labeled.

 All pesticide containers should be properly disposed of.

Appropriate protective gear should be used at all times.

The Board recommends an integrated approach to pest control and an effort be made to minimize the use of chemicals in food production.
Graphics: Adopted from FAO Pesticide Disposal Series The Fisheries Division in the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, Fisheries and Rural Transformation, Industry and Labour, is conducting an island wide drive to in- spect all fishing vessels in St Vincent and the Grena- dines.
The main objective is to ensure that fishing vessels in St Vincent and the Grenadines complied with the various regulations and standards that govern:  Construction  Registration  Safety The Fisheries Division Extension Unit visited the Kingstown, Campden Park, Lowmans Bay, Questelles and Clare Valley beaches during the month of Septem- ber to sensitize fishers on their role and responsibilities relative to the inspection of their boats.
The cooperation of the fisher folk in the various fishing communities is greatly appreciated.

The Government of St. Vincent and the Grenadines act- ing on the advice of the Pesticides Board has placed an immediate suspension on the importation into St. Vin- cent and the Grenadines of Round-Up, Touchdown and Glyphos and any other chemical containing the active ingredient glyphosate pending a technical review by the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, Fisheries, Rural Transformation, Industry and Labour.
A preliminary review was conducted by the Pesticides Board which revealed that further research is needed regarding these listed chemicals.

In the interim, a spe- cial technical committee was established to advise on sustainable alternatives to the listed chemicals.

This committee was expected to present its findings by Octo- ber 1st, 2018.
The Caribbean Agriculture Research and Development Institute (CARDI), the Food and Agriculture Organiza- tion (FAO) of the United Nations and the Inter- American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA) have been requested to provide support to the Ministry of Agriculture in St. Vincent and the Grena- dines to conduct a full chemical analysis of these products.

The Ministry of Agriculture will launch a national sensitization programme with all stakeholders within the sector.
The Department of Labour takes this opportunity to remind farmers and farm work- ers of the duty of care needed while using all chemicals.

All employers must provide protective gears and a safe working environment for employ- ees in accordance with the Laws of St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

The Minister of Agriculture, the Hon.


Saboto Cae- sar, has called on all stakeholders to be appreciative of the suspension on the importation of these chemicals in light of the nation’s quest to promote a safe working environment and good agricultural health and food safety practices.

The Fisherman’s Day Committee salutes all fisher folk in St. Vincent and the Grenadines for the hard work and contribu- tion to nation building.
The Fisherman’s Day Committee extends sincerest gratitude to all the companies and individuals who helped to make Fisherman’s Month 2018 a great success espe- cially: BEACH SEINE COMPETITION 14th May – 18th May 2018 POSITION NAME OF CAPTAIN NAME OF BOAT CATCH PRIZE DONOR 3RD HEAVIEST CATCH AUGUSTUS PIERRE LITTLE NEZZA 1667 LBS 2ND HEAVIEST CATCH ALBERT NEVERSON JEHOVAH NESSI 3621 LBS 1ST HEAVIEST CATCH ELI SLATER ELLIANNA 5247 LBS No of Entries: 8 $800.00 1 Head light 1 Case Beer 2 Bottles Vodka 25 lbs Flour 4 Fins 2 Nylon Twine $1,200.00 2 Bottles Vodka 1 Case Beer 25 lbs Flour 5 Fins 2 Nylon Twine $2,000.00 2 bottles Vodka 1 Case Beer Diving Tank 25 lbs Flour Seine Net 5 Fins Edwin D Layne & Sons Ltd Prescott C & Sons Ltd National Lotteries Authority Pasta Enterprises Gonsalves Liquors St. Vincent Brewery Ltd Lulley’s Tackle Shop FLOW POSITION NAME OF CAPTAIN CATCH PRIZE DONOR ROW BOAT COMPETITION 3RD HEAVIEST CATCH WINSTON BUTCHER 29.50 LBS 2ND HEAVIEST CATCH CORNAN ROBERTS 31.25 LBS 1ST HEAVIEST CATCH BENJAMIN MILLER 36.75 LBS $50.00 1 Rain Coat 3 Rolls Nylon 3 Flow Rags 5 Packs Hooks 1 Knife 1 Pack Fishing Lure $100.00 1 Rain Coat 3 Rolls Nylon 3 Packs Hooks 1 Knife 1 Pack Fishing Lure 3 Flow Rags $200.00 1 Rain Coat 3 Rolls Nylon 3 Flow Rags 3 Packs Hooks 1 Knife 1 Pack Fishing Lure No of Entries: 18 FEMALE COMPETITION Prescott C & Sons Ltd Agriculture Input Warehouse KP Marine FLOW Howards Marine POSITION NAME OF CAPTAIN CATCH PRIZE DONOR 3rd HEAVIEST CATCH ORLA MATTHEWS 21 LBS 2ND HEAVIEST CATCH TAVIA
 RICHARDS 27.75 LBS 1ST HEAVIEST CATCH VICTORIA BROWNE 28.25 LBS $100.00 12 FLOW rags 3 Rolls Nylon 25 lbs Flour 3 Knives 2 Gift Pack 4 Packs Hooks $200.00 12 FLOW Rags 3 Rolls Nylon 3 Knives 25 lbs Flour 2 Gift Pack 4 Packs Hooks $500.00 1 trophy 3 Rolls Nylon 3 Knives 25 lbs Flour 12 FLOW rags 2 Gift Pack 4 Packs Hooks No of Entries: 5 Prescott C & Sons Ltd Facey Trading Howard’s Marine Bank of St. Vincent and the Grenadines FLOW ECGC Massy KP Marine POSITION NAME OF CAPTAIN CATCH PRIZE DONOR JUNIOR COMPETITION 2ND HEAVIEST CATCH 1ST HEAVIEST CATCH RANDOLPH SHAW BRAD- 21 LBS Prescott C & Sons Ltd Fisherman’s Day Committee FLOW Sports Locka Plus $200.00 1 trophy 3 Rolls Nylon 5 FLOW rags 2 Packs Hooks 1 Rain Coat No of Entries: 1 FISHERMAN’S MONTH COMPETITION CLASS 2 POSITION NAME OF CAPTAIN NAME OF BOAT CATCH PRIZE DONOR 3RD HEAVIEST SINGLE FISH 2ND HEAVIEST SINGLE FISH Julian Bradshaw J8-329-CA 11.4 LBS $50.00 $75.00 1ST HEAVIEST SIN- GLE FISH Sohan Lucas & Stanley Bradshaw Etano Bounce Back & 13.6 LBS $100.00 3RD LARGEST NO.
OF FISH 2ND LARGEST NO.

OF FISH 1ST LARGEST NO.
OF FISH 3RD HEAVIEST CATCH 2ND HEAVIEST CATCH 1ST HEAVIEST CATCH Bradley Ashton Sheryl 133 Heads Julian Bradshaw J8-329-CA 190 Heads Stanley Bradshaw Bounce Back 197 Heads Stanley Bradshaw Bounce Back 129.6 LBS Julian Bradshaw J8-329-CA 140 LBS Sohan Lucas Etano 202 LBS $50.00 1 bait 3 rags 1 pk hook $75.00 3 rags 1 pk hook $100.00 1 pk hook 3 rags 1 pk bait $200.00 3 quarts oil 3 life jacket 1 case Hairoun 1 pk hooks $400.00 1 raincoats 1case outboard oil 1 cell phone 1 cast net 3 life jackets 1 case Hairoun 1 compass 15 Hp Yamaha 2-Stroke Out- board Engine 1 trophy 1 case Hairoun No.
of Entries: 11 National lotteries Authority Lulley’s Tackle Shop Agriculture Input Warehouse/ Kings- town Fish Market Caribbean Regional Fisheries Mecha- nism (CRFM) Flow KP Marine Ltd Green Finger Elrick Ragguette Wilson Enterprise Cash Money Auto Fisherman’s Day Committee National Fisherfolk Organisation FISHERMAN’S MONTH COMPETITION POSITION NAME OF CAP- TAIN NAME OF BOAT CLASS 1 CATCH PRIZE DONOR 3RD HEAVIEST SINGLE FISH Phlory thews Mat- Obstinate 43 LBS $50.00 2ND HEAVIEST SINGLE FISH Rueben Brad- shaw Flawless 2 48.2 LBS 1ST HEAVIEST SINGLE FISH Kenroy Bruce God Bearer Is My 51.8 LBS 3RD LARGEST NO.
OF FISH Vincent Culzac God Is Love 340 heads 2ND LARGEST NO.

OF FISH Micheal Cordice Omarly 344 heads 1ST LARGEST NO.
OF FISH Kenroy Bruce God Bearer Is My 446 heads 3RD HEAVIEST CATCH Cliff Young Latoya 495.5 LBS 2ND HEAVIEST CATCH Michael Cordice Omarly 865.4 LBS 1ST Heaviest catch FISHERMAN OF THE YEAR 2017 Philroy Mat- thews Obstinate 928.4 LBS $75.00 1 case outboard oil $100.00 1 case outboard oil 1 dozen Tuna Hooks 3 lures $100.00 1 dozen tuna hooks 3 lures 1 fishing wire $150.00 1 case outboard oil 1 dozen tuna hooks $200.00 1 first aide kit 1 case outboard oil 3 life jackets 1 dozen Tuna hooks 1 fishing wire $1000.00 1 case outboard oil 3 life jackets 2 bottles vodka 1 pk Tuna Hooks 3 lures I utility knife 1 jerry can 1 case Hairoun $2000.00 1 compass 1 case outboard oil 3 lifejackets 1 sharpening stone 1 handheld radio 1 case Hairoun 2 bottles vodka 1 cell phone 5 lures 1pk Tuna hooks 75 Hp Yamaha 1 trophy 1 case outboard oil 1 case Guinness No.
of Entries: 48 HEAVIEST SHARK: 1 cooler St. Vincent Brewery Guardsman SVG Ltd.
Unique Animal Care KP Marine Ltd. Howard’s Marine Richardson Motors Caribbean Regional Fisheries Mechanism (CRFM) National Lotteries Authority National Insurances Services Bequia Seafood Demerara Mutual Insurance Ocean Marine Shipping Agency BMC Agencies/Beacon Insurance S.V.G Preservation Fund Building and Loan Association Kenmars Inc SUMMARY OF FISHERMAN’S DAY COMPETITION 2018 2018 2017 Weather condition: Rainy Weather condition: Sunny Number of fishers participated: 165 Number of fishers participated: 212 fishers Number of boats entered: 56 Number of boats entered: 55 Number of boats returned with catch: 27 Number of boats returned with catch: 24 Average weight per boat for the day 2018: 316.05 Average weight per boat for the day 2017: 185 lbs Total catch for the day: 9,533.35 Total catch for the day: 4,448 lbs The Forestry Services in the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, Fisheries, Rural Transformation, Industry and Labour celebrated its annual Forestry Focus during the month of September 2018 under the theme “Enhancing Our Forests Through Urban Communities” and with the use of the slogan “Every Tree Counts.” Several activities were planned to mark Forestry Focus 2018.
An invitation was extended to the general pub- lic to participate in as much activities as possible.

Church Service: The month commenced with a Church Service at the Kingstown Seventh Day Adventist Church on 3rd September.

There was also a distribution of Certifi- cates of Appreciation to several retired workers at the service.

Tree Cutting Exercise The Forestry Services en- gaged in a Tree Cutting exer- cise on Sunday 16th and 23rd September.
This was done in collaboration with BRAGSA, Public Health, Vinlec and several other stakeholders.

The cutting was done be- tween Gibson Corner and Montrose Leeward Range Field Visits: 13th The Central Range made visits to several areas in the Central and Windward Ranges on Thursday 13th September.

These areas included the Montreal for- est area, the newly con- structed greenhouse located in Montreal, Lauders mountain, the Rabacca Recreational Site and the Black Point Recreational Site.
Central Range School Presentation and Tree Planting Exercise: 17th The Central Range engaged in a School Presentation followed by a Tree Planting exercise, as part of activi- ties to mark Forestry Focus 2018.

This was done at the Fair Hall Government School on Monday 17th September.

Women Day Activity: 19th Sep. 2018 The Women Day activity was held on Wednesday at the Rawacou Recrea- tional Site.
Fitzroy Springer Forest Walk: 20th Sep. 2018 The Fitzroy Springer's Forest walk took place on Thursday 20th Septem- ber and took the route of Fenton over to Green Hill.

An added attraction this year was a treasure hunt along the path Windward Range Presenta- tion/Tree Planting: 24th The Windward Range held a School Presentation followed by a Tree Pant- ing exercise on Monday 24th Septem- ber at the Georgetown Secondary School.
This activity was part of the celebration to mark Forestry Focus 2018 Exhibition 26th The Forestry Services held an exhi- bition in Kingstown on Wednesday 26th September, as part of activities to celebrate Forestry Focus 2018.
There were displays by BRAGSA, Nature Care SVG, Sustainable De- velopment Unit, Caribbean Youth Environment Network (CYEN) SVG, One St. Vincent Group Inc, The National Parks, Rivers and Beaches Authority, The National Craft Center and hosts Forestry Ser- vices Social Activity 5th October, 2018 Forestry Services held a social, to bring down the curtains on the cele- brations of Forestry Focus 2018.

This was held at the Forestry Com- pound in Campden Park on Friday 5th October.
The “Everything Vincy Plus” Expo 2018 was held from the 23rd -28th October 2018.

The Expo hosted by InvestSVG marked the occasion of our Country’s 39th anniversary on Independence on October 27th.

This year’s Expo saw over 120 exhibitors including a number of regional and interna- tional participants.

The Everything Vincy Expo in its second year has as it’s main objectives, to increase the visibility of local busi- nesses as well as a call to action for Vincentian innovators.
The Expo provided an excellent opportunity for farmers, fishers, agro-processors, marketers and other business peo- ple to showcase various commodities and products pro- duced within the local agricultural sector.
The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, Fisheries, Rural Transformation, Industry and Labour showcased new tech- nologies utilized in the production of agricultural commodi- ties as well as value-added and product development initia- tives utilizing these commodities as well as various seafood species.

The Ministries Booth also highlighted the OECS Regional Agricultural Competitiveness Project (AGRICOM).
This project is expected to provide matching grant funds to pro- ductive alliances (Aggregators (Marketers, Cooperatives, SME) or Agroprocessors with respective Farmers or Fish- ers) to allow these alliances to access markets and meet market demand requirements whether at the local, regional or international level.

We trust that our hardworking farmers, fishers, agroproces- sors, marketers would have benefited from the exposure they received at Everything Vincy Plus Expo 2018.
"Celebrating the potential of the region's coconut industry" – this was the Caribbean Agricultural Research and Development Institute’s (CARDI)’s 2018 theme to recognize their day.

CARDI's aim is to highlight the Institute’s work under the EU-ACP funded Regional Coconut Industry Devel- opment Project.

To this end, the Institute collaborated with the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, Fisheries, Rural Transformation, Industry and Labour to host an exhibition to showcase locally made coconut prod- ucts.
The exhibition was held on Wednesday, 5th December 2018, at the old treasury building site.

CARDI’s Country Representative, Gregory Linton, stated that the coconut industry has many opportunities to improve income and employment in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.

Linton therefore called for an increase in the acreage of coconut across the country and urged farmers to replenish old stock.
He said the exhibition will help Vincentians to see some of the practical ways that the EU-ACP funded project is utilizing coconut and adding value to one of the region’s oldest industries.

Chair of the National Stakeholder Platform, Alpheus Nanton, said the group was established on July 14th, 2015.

“We are a group of entrepreneurs who are willing to develop” the coconut industry in Saint Vin- cent.
Nanton stressed that coconut is more than just soap and oil and there are lots of different things that can be made from it.

The industry is very old, he stated, and it is “time for us to do a replanting from the North to the South.” Chief Agricultural Officer, Ashley Caine, was among the speakers at the opening of the exhibition.

He re- minded the audience of the important role that coconut tree had in this country from since the days of planta- tion.
He noted the traditional uses of the coconut tree which included lumber, broom, and roofing material.

Diversification Officer within the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Rural Transformation, Colville King, delivered remarks on behalf of the Minister of Agriculture, Hon.

Saboto Caesar.

King said the Minister asked him to extend sincerest thanks to CARDI for implementing the coconut industry initiative and offered con- gratulations to them for hosting the exhibition.
The Diversification Officer told the audience that the agricul- tural sector remains vitally important for employment, for poverty reduction, for food security and foreign ex- change in this country.

Chairperson of the function, Leroy Jackson, gave his full endorsement for the locally made coconut products on display.

Jackson said local entrepreneurs highlight the potential there is in the coconut industry going for- ward.
He used the opportunity to thank all those who came on board to exhibit their products.

The Bureau of Standards was among the exhibitors.

They had representatives on hand to showcase services for persons involved in the coconut industry and for prospective entrepreneurs.
Jennifer Douglas-Bullock, the Bureau’s Representative, explained that they offer a range of services for persons who need information on standards within the coconut industry, food safety information applicable to the processing of coconut, its uses, and a range of products which can be had from it.

Source: API IICA is implementing a pilot project titled, Promoting the Adop- tion of Climate Smart Agriculture Practices Among Small-Scale Producers.
This is one of several pilots under the Japan- Caribbean Climate Change Partnership implemented by the United Nations Development Programme across St. Vincent and the Grenadines with funding from the Government of japan.

The objective of the project, as its name indicates, is to build re- silience to environmental risks among farmers by promoting sim- ple technology adoption to better prepare them for the impacts of adverse environmental events – storms or droughts.
Through the pilot project, five demonstration plots have been es- tablished on beneficiary holdings at San Souci, Calder, Kings- town, Pembroke and Rose Hall.

At each site, the project sought to demonstrate Good Agricultural Practices for soil management, crop husbandry and water management.

Particular attention was paid to proper soil preparation with the use of bench terraces ad- vocated on some plots for erosion control.
On other plots, the tra- dition ridge and farrow system or beds were allowed, to demon- strate how effective these more common practices could be under the right circumstances.

Throughout, attention was also paid to composting and the use of compost material as an ameliorant for the soil.

Crop management practices utilized, advocated for minimization of the use of inorganic agro-inputs and the use of integrated crop/ pest management to reduce the dependence on pesticides.
The management of run-off water from rainfall and its use for ir- rigation was also emphasized.

A key feature of the plots was the establishment of rainwater harvesting and irrigation systems on the farms.

These small systems were establishment to capture rainwater from farm buildings, store and use at the appropriate time in vegetable crops.

These systems were designed to address short-term agricultural water deficit in fields that affect productiv- ity.
Over one-hundred and fifty farmers also benefitted from the train- ing activities undertaken by the project.

These included work- shops on seedling production, integrated pest management, and field exercises on land preparation and drip irrigation operation.
The final component of this aspect of the work was a sympo- sium on climate change which brought forty-five stake- holders from the agricultural and non-agricultural sectors together and addressed the broader climate change phenom- ena and its impact at the global, national level, sectoral and sub-sectoral levels (forestry, agriculture), and the roles that the technical agencies play to prepare the country to continue to adjust to the emerging impacts.
The project, which has been implemented over the period of approximately one year, conclude at the end of December 2018.

The farmers are however expected to continue with their operation on good practices on the plots that are envi- sioned as training sites for other farmers and extension agents to use.

The United Nations through the Food and Agriculture Organization designated December 5th as the Interna- tional Day of Soils.
This year World Soil Day was cele- brated under the theme, “Be the solution to soil pollu- tion.” This was done in order to focus attention on the importance of soil to the existence of mankind.

Soil is the upper part of the earth’s surface; this is where plants are grown to sustain lives.

Below this lies the rocks from which soils are made.

However, it takes thousands or even millions of years for rocks to be converted into soil but it can be lost within only a few hundred years.
This means that every effort must be made to preserve what is available.

Soil is made up of two main layers, top soil and sub soil.

The top soil is usually the most fertile part of the soil and normally contains the highest content of organic matter.

We often take soil for granted because it is found almost everywhere even under the sea.

Though it is always touted that SVG has some of the best soils in the world, this can quickly be erased by soil erosion and pollution.
Although soil erosion is a naturally occurring process that affects all landforms, it can be accelerated by bad farming practices and deforestation.

In St Vincent and the Grenadines, soil erosion is very evident by the brown color of the rivers and the sea during and after heavy rainfall.

However, much of this can be prevented if seri- ous attention is paid to the management of soils.
Many of our soils are on hillsides and are highly susceptible to erosion, but if properly managed, erosion can be kept to a minimum.

To prevent soil erosion we can practice con- tour farming, prevent farming on very steep slopes, plant vegetation (vetiver grass or trees) to stabilize slopes and prevent deforestation.

Soil pollution refers to the existence of toxic chemicals (pollutants or contaminants) in soil in high enough con- centrations to present a risk to human health and/or the ecosystem.
In cases where contaminants occur naturally in the soil, even when their levels are not high enough to pose a risk, it is still acknowledged that soil pollution occurs if the levels of the contaminants in soil exceed the levels that should naturally be present.

We can help to prevent soil pollution by doing the following: Promot- ing the use of bio fertilizers and bio pesticides, reducing toxic waste and paying attention to how we use and dis- pose pesticides.
Products such as engine oil and house- hold products are also considered as soil pollutants.

We can positively contribute to recycling waste by practic- ing composting, using reusable containers such as glass and promoting the use of cotton bags to help prevent de- forestation.

Soil is very important to the existence of mankind.

However, erosion and pollution can quickly degrade our soils.
We must continuously practice our soil conservation as well as protecting our soils from pollutants so that we can adequately sustain our ecosys- tems for generations to come.

St. Vincent and the Grenadines now has the legislative foun- dation to pursue medical and economic benefits from the can- nabis plant otherwise known as “marijuana”, “weed” or the “herb”.
This foundation was realized when the government of St. Vincent and the Grenadines received unanimous approval of two bills from the parliament on Tuesday December 11th, 2018.

These two bills are The Medicinal Cannabis Industry Bill 2018 and The Cannabis Cultivation (Amnesty) Bill 2018.

The passage of these bills was the result of eleven months of work led by Hon Saboto Caesar, Ministry of Agriculture, Ru- ral Transformation, Forestry, Fisheries, Labour and Industry.
The period was marked by important activities and milestones including the establishment of a committee of stakeholders to oversee the process, the drafting of the respective legislation, publication of the draft legislation, community consultations and sensitization, including numerous multimedia panel dis- cussion programmes, the first tabling and reading of the bill in the House of Assembly, the establishment of a parliamentary select committee and approximately twenty (20) select com- mittee meetings on the bills.
The main provisions of the Bills now Acts of Parliament in- clude: Medicinal Cannabis Industry Act: 1.

The establishment of the Medicinal Cannabis Authority.

The headquarters of the Authority is expected to be estab- lished at Rivulet.
The functions of the Authority are as fol- lows: a. develop policies, procedures and guidelines to ensure that medicinal cannabis is available to patients in a safe and efficient manner; b. regulate the supply, possession and use of medicinal can- nabis; c. review and approve medical certifications submitted by medical doctors on behalf of patients in accordance with this Act; d. subject to subsection (2), issue licenses and other au- thorizations in relation to the supply, use and posses- sion of medicinal cannabis in accordance with the pro- visions of this Act and Regulations made pursuant to this Act; e. develop enforcement procedures in relation to the in- spection of premises that are operated by licensees in order to ensure compliance with the provisions of this Act or any Regulations made pursuant to this Act; register patients and caregivers and issue identification cards accordingly; f. g. appoint sub-committees to assist it in the carrying out of its functions under this Act; h. establish and maintain an electronic database to in- clude information relating to patients, medical doctors, licensees, medical certifications and identification cards and to provide for the electronic tracking of the supply, possession and use of medicinal cannabis in accordance with this Act or Regulations made pursuant to this Act; i. establish and maintain a confidential register of pa- tients and caregivers, in accordance with Part V and such other registers as may be prescribed; j. provide for the distribution of educational materials and conduct training programmes in relation to the de- velopment of medicinal cannabis; k. perform such other functions assigned to it under this Act or any other enactment; and l. do anything or enter into any arrangement, which, in the opinion of the Authority, is necessary to ensure the proper performance of its functions.
2.
The establishment of a Medical Advisory Council which shall advise the Authority on: a. the medical symptoms or conditions that may be in- cluded in the list of qualifying medical conditions; b. the use and methods of administration of medicinal cannabis; c. medicinal cannabis research and related resources; d. the maximum period for which medicinal cannabis may be prescribed to treat a qualifying medical condi- tion; e. proposed amendments to this Act or Regulations made pursuant to this Act; f. guidelines for the training of licensees, medical doc- tors, nurses, pharmacists and other health practitioners, on the supply and use of medicinal cannabis.
Cannabis Cultivation (Amnesty) Act 3.Amnesty for Traditional Cultivators.

This Act serves to transition illegal cannabis farm- ers who have been cultivating and trading can- nabis before the passage of the Bills to a legal status as licensed cultivators of Medicinal Can- nabis.

This aims to ensure that these stake- holders’ benefit from the establishment of the industry.

Medical properties: The chemical compounds in cannabis are known as cannabinoids.
Can- nabidiol (CBD) is effective in decreasing in- flammation and pain and can reduce epileptic seizures; it can be used to treat addictions and mental illness.

As a result, there is a growing global trend towards the use of medicines de- rived from cannabis for the treatment of chronic pain with treatment of cancer and re- lated symptoms expected to be the highest growth area for its application of medicines.
The United States Food and Drug Admini- stration (USFDA) is actively approving of synthetic drugs such as (Dronabinol and Na- bilone).

Sativex is the first plant-derived can- nabinoid approved in the UK, Canada and sev- eral European countries.

 46 US States have decriminalized the plant either for medicinal or recreational use  62% of Americans support legalizing the use of marijuana.

Influential American politicians are actively lobbying for the decriminalization of marijuana at the Federal level.
St. Vincent and the Grenadines therefore has now been positioned to capitalize on this op- portunity to produce and supply medicinal can- nabis.

St. Vincent and the Grenadines is known for its bread- fruit.

The breadfruit was brought here by Captain Bligh in 1793.

Today, we have several different varie- ties of breadfruit and the fruit forms part of our national dish of roasted breadfruit and fried jack fish.

Breadfruit was used as a cheap source of food during slavery.
Hence, the Breadfruit Festival is held annually to pro- mote the various uses of the breadfruit for food, lumber and income.

The Festival is also complimentary to the Emancipation Month Activities.

The Festival is jointly promoted by the Ministry of Tourism and Culture, the Ministry of Agriculture and various communities throughout the state.

Through the efforts of the North Leeward Breadfruit Festival Committee, the community of North Leeward has hosted the festival annually for the last 14 years.
This year’s event was successfully hosted on Saturday 18th August at Mission Corner, Chateaubelair under the theme, “Embracing the Versality of Breadfruit, the Super Fruit.” The festival featured a display of a variety of breadfruit dishes - breadfruit and saltfish, breadfruit and blackfish, breadfruit oil-down, breadfruit pizza, breadfruit lasagna, breadfruit salad and cookies.
The playing of traditional games including pitching marbles, coconut bat cricket, cart racing, and a cultural and entertainment package - with performances by Up- stage Calypso Tent, Rose Bank and Rose Hall drum- mers.

The corresponding pictures are a testament to the successful hosting of the event.

Efforts have been made to expand the festival to differ- ent communities throughout St. Vincent and the Grena-