Government funds allocated for Giant African Snail eradication exercise run out just within months.
This was highlighted in a public notice pinned up in front of the Ministry of Agriculture Quarantine department.
Quarantine director Francis Tsatsia also confirmed that.
“…..yes, funds allocated for the baiting exercise have runs out,” Tsatsia said.
“For this year we have no funds left for this particular exercise. Famers were advised to pay for your own baits at the Island Enterprises Ltd.”
Islands Enterprises Ltd is the only supplier of snail baits in the country.
Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture Jimi Saelea urged people to watch over their environment to avoid the spread of the snail.
“Snails breeds well in moist areas like compost heaps. Be advised to keep and clear off your surroundings to avoid breeds of the snail.”
He added that suspected sighting of the sanil in few provinces was immediately eradicated by quarantine officers.
“The good news about the snail sighting in the provinces is we were able to immediately eradicate them.”
Apart from Guadalcanal, the snails were reportedly discovered in Malaita, in Western, Temotu and Makira.
The ministry’s biosecurity unit received $2.1 million in the 2015 budget.
By CHARLEY PIRINGI
