St Lucia:Saint Lucia has foot another forward in the development, The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries, Natural Resources, and Cooperatives has formally opened a Diagnostic Facility in Union.
As the need for agriculture continues to develop through the growing needs of society, so makes the constant threat of the introduction, establishment, and scope of pests and diseases, as well as climate change and praedial larceny.
The recently established National Agricultural Diagnostic Facility will allow production challenges to be approached carefully through the diagnostic expertise of the laboratory system, thereby adding value chains that provide enhanced access to more affordable, better quality goods.
Director of Agricultural Services, Dr Auria King Cenac announced that the establishment of the diagnostic facility would play an essential role in the industrial and socio-economic growth of Saint Lucia.
“I want us to take full advantage of the opportunity to efficiently and timely diagnose diseases that can impact our socio-economic well being. The ability to control, contain and eradicate disease with little economic impact is as a result of early detection, warning, and action,” she said.
Director of the Saint Lucia Bureau of Standards, Mr Verne Emmanuel, informs the metrology lab was awarded accreditation to ISO IEC 17025 General Requirements, for the Competence and Calibration Laboratories on Nov. 2.
“IOS17 specifies the general requirements to carry out our tests, including sampling. It covers testing and calibration performed, including standard and non-standard methods.”
The Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries, Physical Planning, Natural Resources and Cooperatives, Hon. Ezechiel Joseph looks forward to the benefits the facility will provide.
“Food safety is critical, food safety is something that we have been talking about often, and I’m sure with the operation of this facility we shall be able to provide the type of products that our consumers will have confidence in.
The European Union funds the National Agricultural Diagnostic Facility under the ATP/ BAM programme.
