A grand opening ceremony was held November 3, 2025 to officially open the new headquarters of the Bahamas Agricultural Health and Food Safety Authority (BAHFSA) and to launch the nation’s first-ever mobile plant health laboratory.

Among those in attendance were Minister of Agriculture and Marine Resources, the Hon. Jomo Campbell; State Minister of Environment and Natural Resources, the Hon. Zane Lightbourne; Consumer Protection Commission Chairman, Senator the Hon. Randy Rolle; Former Governor General, Dame Marguerite Pindling; Former Cabinet Minister, Daniel Johnson; Permanent Secretary, Neil Campbell; BAHFSA Chairman, Dr. Patricia Symonette; BAHFSA Executive Director, Monique Pindling; Undersecretary, Montez Williams; and other government officials, partners, and stakeholders.

Executive Director, Monique Pindling served as moderator, delivering welcome remarks and recognizing staff for their dedication and hard work.

Chairman, Dr. Patricia Symonette provided an overview of the agency’s development, describing the opening as the culmination of a journey to elevate BAHFSA’s role in protecting the nation’s health and agricultural economy.

Permanent Secretary, Neil Campbell also addressed attendees, highlighting the importance of safeguarding the country’s food supply before introducing the keynote speaker.

In his remarks, Minister of Agriculture and Marine Resources, the Hon. Jomo Campbell, described the occasion as “a defining moment in the advancement of agriculture, food safety, and public health in The Bahamas.”

“For too long, our systems for monitoring and protecting these critical sectors have worked in isolation,” Minister Campbell said. “With the establishment of BAHFSA, we take a bold step forward by unifying our efforts under one science-driven organization—dedicated to the health of our people, the vitality of our agriculture, and the reliability of our food supply chain.”

He emphasized that BAHFSA serves as a “vigilant guardian” of national food safety, coordinating activities across all stages of production—from manufacturing and distribution to animal and plant health.

“It will enforce sanitary and phytosanitary regulations, helping to shield our country from food contaminants, pests, and diseases that threaten public health,” he noted.

The Minister also unveiled the country’s first mobile plant health laboratory, a groundbreaking achievement for the region.

“This mobile plant laboratory—the first of its kind in the Caribbean—will revolutionize plant health diagnostics,” he said. “It brings essential testing directly to farmers, especially in the Family Islands, reducing response times for pest and disease identification and safeguarding vital crops such as pineapples and coconuts.”

The lab, he added, will enhance The Bahamas’ capacity to meet international phytosanitary standards, strengthen agricultural exports, and support nationwide biosecurity through early detection of invasive species.

Minister Campbell credited the achievement to extensive collaboration among government ministries, farmers, importers, and international partners, while emphasizing that this is only the beginning of BAHFSA’s evolution.

“In late 2026, BAHFSA will launch the country’s first Biosecurity Level 3 mobile veterinary laboratory. We envision this authority becoming a beacon of excellence—embracing innovation and cultivating the next generation of Bahamian scientists and inspectors,” he said.

The Minister concluded by commending the agency’s leadership and staff for their unwavering dedication:

“You are the frontline defenders of our nation’s health and prosperity—the stewards of an agency that touches the lives of every Bahamian. This authority belongs to the people of The Bahamas; it serves you, protects you, and represents our shared commitment to building a safer, healthier, and stronger nation.”

A grand opening ceremony was held November 3, 2025 to officially open the new headquarters of the Bahamas Agricultural Health and Food Safety Authority (BAHFSA) and to launch the nation’s first-ever mobile plant health laboratory. Among those in attendance were Minister of Agriculture and Marine Resources, the Hon. Jomo Campbell; State Minister of Environment and Natural Resources, the Hon. Zane Lightbourne; Consumer Protection Commission Chairman, Senator the Hon. Randy Rolle; Former Governor General, Dame Marguerite Pindling; Former Cabinet Minister, Daniel Johnson; Permanent Secretary, Neil Campbell; BAHFSA Chairman, Dr. Patricia Symonette; BAHFSA Executive Director, Monique Pindling; Undersecretary, Montez Williams; and other government officials, partners, and stakeholders. Executive Director, Monique Pindling served as moderator, delivering welcome remarks and recognizing staff for their dedication and hard work. Chairman, Dr. Patricia Symonette provided an overview of the agency’s development, describing the opening as the culmination of a journey to elevate BAHFSA’s role in protecting the nation’s health and agricultural economy. Permanent Secretary, Neil Campbell also addressed attendees, highlighting the importance of safeguarding the country’s food supply before introducing the keynote speaker. In his remarks, Minister of Agriculture and Marine Resources, the Hon. Jomo Campbell, described the occasion as “a defining moment in the advancement of agriculture, food safety, and public health in The Bahamas.” “For too long, our systems for monitoring and protecting these critical sectors have worked in isolation,” Minister Campbell said. “With the establishment of BAHFSA, we take a bold step forward by unifying our efforts under one science-driven organization—dedicated to the health of our people, the vitality of our agriculture, and the reliability of our food supply chain.” He emphasized that BAHFSA serves as a “vigilant guardian” of national food safety, coordinating activities across all stages of production—from manufacturing and distribution to animal and plant health. “It will enforce sanitary and phytosanitary regulations, helping to shield our country from food contaminants, pests, and diseases that threaten public health,” he noted. The Minister also unveiled the country’s first mobile plant health laboratory, a groundbreaking achievement for the region. “This mobile plant laboratory—the first of its kind in the Caribbean—will revolutionize plant health diagnostics,” he said. “It brings essential testing directly to farmers, especially in the Family Islands, reducing response times for pest and disease identification and safeguarding vital crops such as pineapples and coconuts.” The lab, he added, will enhance The Bahamas’ capacity to meet international phytosanitary standards, strengthen agricultural exports, and support nationwide biosecurity through early detection of invasive species. Minister Campbell credited the achievement to extensive collaboration among government ministries, farmers, importers, and international partners, while emphasizing that this is only the beginning of BAHFSA’s evolution. “In late 2026, BAHFSA will launch the country’s first Biosecurity Level 3 mobile veterinary laboratory. We envision this authority becoming a beacon of excellence—embracing innovation and cultivating the next generation of Bahamian scientists and inspectors,” he said. The Minister concluded by commending the agency’s leadership and staff for their unwavering dedication: “You are the frontline defenders of our nation’s health and prosperity—the stewards of an agency that touches the lives of every Bahamian. This authority belongs to the people of The Bahamas; it serves you, protects you, and represents our shared commitment to building a safer, healthier, and stronger nation.”