THE U.S. Department of Agriculture has given an exemplary rating to the CNMI Quarantine Unit for effectively preventing the entry of major pests.
Gov. Juan N. Babauta received yesterday a plaque of recognition from USDA for the CNMI government’s efforts to beef up its quarantine inspection.
Mitchell Nelson, director of USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service for the Marianas, lauded Babauta for recognizing the importance of border checks.
“The CNMI’s quarantine unit is one of the best in the Pacific. No major pest has entered the islands because they are doing their job,” said Nelson. Plant and animal quarantine not only protects the health and safety of the CNMI residents, but benefits the tourism-based economy and the environment as well, he added.
Nelson said a single pest can cost the government and businesses millions of dollars.
The effects of the foot-and-mouth disease in Great Britain, for example, resulted in a $150 million tourism revenue loss for Great Britain, said Nelson.
USDA and the Department of Lands and Natural Resources yesterday held a one-hour plant protection quarantine certificate and award ceremony, which wrapped up a four-day training conducted by Nelson.
Marianne C. Teregeyo, DLNR’s special assistant for correspondence, said 19 quarantine inspectors passed the training, giving them increased authority to enforce federal regulations and laws that protect the CNMI from plant and animals pests.
According to Nelson, quarantine inspectors have also been trained on how to properly deal with tourists and passengers who have disembarked from the airport.
“These inspectors also received a 96 percent industry rating. They’re on top of everything,” he said.
Babauta, in his remarks, commended the Quarantine Unit, which is under the DLNR’s Division of Agriculture, for a job well done.
“Because of your effective job, there’s been no further introduction of these species in the CNMI. The lt. governor and I are fully committed to helping quarantine officers and customs in their efforts. You can all count on my support,” said Babauta.
Acting Lands and Natural Resources Secretary Thomas Pangelinan and Agriculture Director Donald G. Flores also lauded the quarantine officers’ performance.
