Mr Speaker, sir, this 2012 Budget brings to mind a question once asked in this country: “How long is too long if it’s good?”
We now have the answer, sir: four hours and three minutes!
The presentations by Mr Sinckler and Miss Mottley were sterling in every respect. But we are only human. And even brilliant droning takes its toll.
As it was, sir, I drifted off while Mr Sinckler was talking about “divestment” which my Latin tells me means “to take off one’s clothes”. Whereupon, a vision of Mr Sinckler 30 per cent unclad flashed before me.
Alas, this was nothing compared to next afternoon when, falling asleep again, I heard Miss Mottley urging him to divest even more. And dreamt they both divested until they were stark born naked.
Lord have mercy, sir!
But let me focus today on the question: Does Barbados need agriculture? Or, as Peter Wickham seems to be suggesting, should we convert our lands into tourism product and buy food from foreign sources?
Food security should be our number one priority. Many of us are still grateful for Dr John Saint’s measures which kept us fed during and after World War II.
Even without war, global food shortages are predicted. Prices are rising and a country without its own food supply will be at the mercy of alien producers.
Bland assertion
Secondly, despite Mr Wickham’s bland assertion that all food coming in here must meet our phytosanitary standards, we have little control over what we import. “A comparative study of allowable pesticide residue levels on produce in the United States” reveals that “less than one per cent of import shipments” are inspected. That is the USA.
There are two aspects to this: repulsive practices and others that are downright harmful. Examples: in 1982 it was discovered that the Australians were exporting “horse, donkey, buffalo and kangaroo” meat to the US and calling it beef. God only knows what foreigners ship to us.
In a country in this region, the late Lionel James saw animals’ faeces being shovelled up and put in front of them to eat again with some molasses on top.
Cherries and guavas in major pulp-producing countries are, unlike our own, riddled with big fat worms.
While we have strict controls on crop pesticides which can be imported, other countries, including the US, use chemicals that we have long since banned. And the permitted residue levels in fruits and veggies varies widely, the Yanks allowing more than the Europeans.
And then there is genetic modification. I was once approached (it’s being done in Canada and the US) to have spider genes implanted into my goats. I’m serious. The milk is then used in making “spider silk” and protective gear for the army. They assured me the milk would be good for drinking.
Are you comfortable with drinking spider milk, Mr Wickham?
I could go on and on. How much of our rampant asthma is due to imported food, we may never know.
Of course, we may have unsatisfactory practices here as well. But if ever you step out of line, some disgruntled employee is sure to spill the beans on Brass Tacks or a calypsonian will make it the subject of a song. That is our safeguard.
Thirdly, sir, agriculture enhances the appearance of our island, keeps disease-carrying rats and tourist-tormenting cow-itch under control. And would it not be better to pay money to hard-working sugar workers to produce a crop which will earn foreign exchange rather than to Government workers doing a mediocre job of trying to keep the island half-way presentable?
Note that Guyana’s agriculture has fuelled economic growth. Tourism only flourishes when people have money to spend.
Sir, the advantages of local agriculture in reducing our food import bill, in again producing crops for export, in saving on health costs with healthy food, are boundless.
Besides, there is a win-win option. Most plantations have large rab land areas suitable for building but not for farming. We can develop these and leave our farm land intact.
Let me, in closing, pay tribute to Nicole Garofano who has returned to her native Australia. Nicole has done wonders for this island in raising awareness of the environment. A plaque at Morgan Lewis Hill in her honour is an unusual tribute from all who knew her.
Vaya con Dios, Nicole Garofano. You did us proud.
Richard Hoad is a farmer and social commentator. Email [email protected]
