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Govt to probe offloading of beetle-infested wood in GB

Tue, Aug 3rd 2021, 04:57 PM
Animals/Pets Environment Tribune Stories

THE Bahamas Government has launched an investigation into the offloading of wood reportedly infested with an invasive beetle by a Panama-registered cargo vessel at Grand Bahama last week.

The infested wood was taken to the Pineridge Landfill in Freeport where it was fumigated and burned, according to a press statement released by the Government through Bahamas Information Services.
#It was reported that the wood “was offloaded without the prior knowledge, consent or approval” of the relevant Bahamian authorities.
#Several government agencies and the Police are investigating the circumstances concerning any breach of the country’s laws and procedures regarding the incident that occurred on July 24 when the Pan Jasmine cargo vessel arrived.
#Environmental activist Joseph Darville brought the matter to the public’s attention and expressed outrage after he learned the cargo vessel was allowed to offload wood allegedly infested with an Asian beetle that destroys crops and trees.
#Prior to arrival in Grand Bahama, the Pan Jasmine was initially banned by US Federal Agents near New Orleans from entering the US after officials discovered that the cargo of wood was infested.
#The vessel departed US waters on July 21 enroute to Freeport for wood service disposal.
#A statement issued by BIS indicated that on July 24 the Customs Department was made aware that a ship entered the territorial waters and declared in ballast or no cargo.
#“Based on information received an investigation has been launched by an inter-agency committee made up of the Department of Public Prosecutions, Bahama Customs, the Royal Bahamas Police Force, the Department of Environmental Health Services, the Ministry of Agriculture and Marine Resources, the Office of the Prime Minister Grand Bahama, the Department of Forestry, and the Department Environmental Planning and Protection concerning the offloading of suspected unidentified insect infestation of dunnage or rough wood used for packaging that was offloaded at a location near the Freeport Harbour and transported to the Pineridge Landfill.

The infested wood was taken to the Pineridge Landfill in Freeport where it was fumigated and burned, according to a press statement released by the Government through Bahamas Information Services.

It was reported that the wood “was offloaded without the prior knowledge, consent or approval” of the relevant Bahamian authorities.

Several government agencies and the Police are investigating the circumstances concerning any breach of the country’s laws and procedures regarding the incident that occurred on July 24 when the Pan Jasmine cargo vessel arrived.

Environmental activist Joseph Darville brought the matter to the public’s attention and expressed outrage after he learned the cargo vessel was allowed to offload wood allegedly infested with an Asian beetle that destroys crops and trees.

Prior to arrival in Grand Bahama, the Pan Jasmine was initially banned by US Federal Agents near New Orleans from entering the US after officials discovered that the cargo of wood was infested.

The vessel departed US waters on July 21 enroute to Freeport for wood service disposal.

A statement issued by BIS indicated that on July 24 the Customs Department was made aware that a ship entered the territorial waters and declared in ballast or no cargo.

“Based on information received an investigation has been launched by an inter-agency committee made up of the Department of Public Prosecutions, Bahama Customs, the Royal Bahamas Police Force, the Department of Environmental Health Services, the Ministry of Agriculture and Marine Resources, the Office of the Prime Minister Grand Bahama, the Department of Forestry, and the Department Environmental Planning and Protection concerning the offloading of suspected unidentified insect infestation of dunnage or rough wood used for packaging that was offloaded at a location near the Freeport Harbour and transported to the Pineridge Landfill. 

 

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