Jamaica's negligence, cause of my embarrassment
published: Thursday | June 26, 2003
THE EDITOR, Sir:
JUST RECENTLY I read that Jamaica had placed a ban on imported beef from Canada. I am heartened to know that vigilance is employed to protect Jamaicans, albeit only one case of Mad Cow Disease was detected there.
In September 2002, my family in Canada asked me to take up some Jamaican patties on my trip there. The shop packed the patties in such a way that they had to travel as hand luggage. When I got to the last customs officer at Lester Pearson International Airport, he asked what type of patties I had, I said all beef. He said, and I quote "Sorry they have to be confiscated. No beef product from Jamaica is allowed in Canada. A communiqué was issued for Jamaica to declare the absence of Mad Cow Disease and they chose to ignore the request. Its my duty to protect my country from any such threat, furthermore you could be fined $400.00 (Can.)." My losing the patties was no big deal, but I was angry that Jamaica caused me such an embarrassment in another person's country.
Although we reciprocate now, I am still somewhat disappointed that we have allowed Dr. T.P. Lecky's dream of self-sufficiency in beef to be heading for a nightmare. Why should Jamaica be importing a product in which we had such a great success right in our own life time? We should be a force to reckon with in the exportation of beef. Still puzzled.
