The Public Eye: GCT on imported raw foodstuff including vegetables, will be abolished

[@faithm2535]

So if and when there is another more serious pandemic that abruptly shuts down transatlantic shipping and supply chain, how long could the Jamaican masses survive without imported food?

[@WhoAmI-zd6li]

Mr. Pernel...then how does cheaper imported X compete with locally produced Y? Then no the destruction of Jamaica Y?

[@LoxleyG]

SIR P ❗ THE SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE BULLDOZER LAND WITH FOOD ❗TO BE REPLACED BY FOOTBALL FIELD ❗

[@irokoreasoning926]

Along with the salt/sugar are the harmful chemical being used in farming ?????

[@faithm2535]

Exactly. Unfortunately, chemically treated food is probably now the only way to prevent starvation in highly populated nations where the soil quality in now too poor in areas with good climate. The trade off is slower death by cancers and such, versus faster from malnutrition.

[@irokoreasoning926]

@@faithm2535 Not the only, just will take more effort based on how they messed up but I get your point, caught between 2 evils. All for money power. Some experts say planting the same crop in the same place adding the chemicals repeatedly kill the soil. How many of us realize we not eating variety but eating about 3 things in a variety of ways based on buying the products(so called food) preserved in a building, wi haffi sick. Meanwhile we are so busy being productive for the same system that's killing us, we don't have time to do what's necessary for self. Being afraid to lose our shift is why we not making the necessary greater shift.

[@faithm2535]

@@irokoreasoning926 agreed. I meant the only way, to the extent farming can be profitable for small farmers who are completely dependent on reaping a sizable crop from relatively small plots of land. If there is no regulations or oversight on the importation of harmful pesticide, farmers will use whatever they need to make a living. Large first world countries have decided to subsidize corn, rice, wheat, and soybean to support their exploding population. Does Jamaica even produce seeds locally? So that they can use varieties that have proven to be adapted to local climate and are resistant to local pests and diseases.

[@irokoreasoning926]

@@faithm2535 The few that might be saving seeds is not enough for any kind of food security. There's some attempt to use 'tissue culture', lets see how far that goes. Listening to the radio I can hear advertisement for farmed fish, meanwhile hearing of fish kill in the rivers. Things that makes you go hmmm.

[@faithm2535]

@@irokoreasoning926 the whole food security situation seem almost hopeless. I always thought government should have ‘workfare’ programs where a modest wage is paid to local farmers to plant public lands hundreds of acres of breadfruit, coconut, ackee, beans, avocado, as well as cassava, banana, sugar cane, and other self reproducing, high nutrient foods that can be ‘stored’ on the plant for long periods, to aid in food security, or help with school lunch. etc but theft would likely defeat such efforts. Regarding local fish from either farm or river…would be good to know what if any testing is being conducted, since the water ecosystem is all connected, but most of what is running off from agriculture, mining, etc into said waters is not being regulated.

[@dellybrammer451]

Ronnie what was your scandal in parliament ?????

[@WhoAmI-zd6li]

Lordy!! Pernel no understand global macro economic competitiveness? Den no Asian cheap labor competitiveness that destroyed Seaga's Free Zone textile industry!! Mr. Charles, not being honest!!

[@Chitownvibes]

Parnell just dunce