Omar Anderson, Gleaner Writer
Shirley-Anne Eaton (centre), attorney-at-law, assists Roger Clarke (right), Minister of Agriculture and Development Minister, Dr. Paul Robertson, during yesterday's signing of a memorandum of understanding at Jamaica House which merges the operations of three ministries to enhance business efficiency. - CARLINGTON WILMOT/FREELANCE PHOTOGRAPHER
THREE GOVERNMENT ministries yesterday signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) that is expected to bring more efficiency to the way business is done in Jamaica.
The signing, which took place at Jamaica House, involved the ministries of Health, Agriculture, and Commerce, Science and Technology and is being lauded as a "strong statement of intent by the Government to do everything to facilitate commerce."
Speaking at the signing, Development Minister Dr. Paul Robertson, congratulated the various ministries and agencies associated with the preparation and finalisation of what he said was "this important agreement."
"We are introducing another initiative which underlines the Government's commitment to creating a business-friendly environment where efficiencies and bureaucratic delays are minimised, if not eliminated," he said.
Under the MoU, the three ministries will operate under one umbrella, replacing the Agricultural Health and Food Safety System.
Under that system, each ministry was responsible for a number of agencies and divisions engaged in activities pertaining to the regulation and inspection of food establishments, food import and export, as well as pesticide control.
SERIOUS OVERLAPS
However, Dr. Robertson disclosed that there were very serious overlaps and gaps among the various agencies and divisions.
He said that attempts have been made to address the overlapping functions through various reviews and recommendations, including the the National Quality Policy for Jamaica which Cabinet approved in 2001.
The policy calls for the establishment of a single food safety agency. The agency should be up and running next year.
