(CARICOM Secretariat, Turkeyen, Greater Georgetown, Guyana) The widespread economic threat that Alien Invasive Species (IAS) pose to the Caribbean dictates coordination at national and regional levels to optimise the use of resources and technical expertise.

In so doing, Caribbean countries could avoid duplication, inconsistency and disputes among the relevant national agencies; make optimal use of regional resources and capacities; and cooperate in the exchange of relevant official information among states. This was the view of Dr. G. V. Pollard, Plant Protection Officer of the United Nations Food an Agriculture Organisation (FAO) sub Regional Office in Barbados

He informed delegates attending the symposium on Invasive Species at the 42nd annual general meeting of the Caribbean Food Crops Society (CFCS), in Puerto Rico, that the negative economic impact from these species should not be underestimated.

He pointed to Jamaica, where, due to the impact of Black Sigatoka of Banana and Plantain, 27 percent of production cost for banana and plantain was on control methods. To this end, US$240 was being spent per hectare on chemical treatment.

He further informed that Black Sigatoka of Banana and Plantain could be found in several Caribbean states, and was identified in the CARICOM Member States of Trinidad, in 2003, and The Bahamas, in 2004.

Dr Pollard pointed to a preliminary report of IAS threats in the Caribbean region as listing 552 species as alien, with the majority established outside of agricultural systems. 

"Of the 552 species listed, 23 species were considered to be posing major invasive threats," he informed.

He informed that the FAO’s response to the problem of IAS was considered under the agency’s Biosecurity programme. He explained that biosecurity was a key requirement for achieving the goals set out in the FAO Strategic Framework by promoting, developing and re-enforcing policy and regulatory frameworks for food, agriculture, fisheries and forestry