Food Security & Sustainability Act receives royal assent

The Food Security and Sustainability Act (2022) has officially received royal assent.

Premier Dr Natalio Wheatley made the announcement last Friday at a one-on-one press conference with the local media.

The Food Security & Sustainability Act, which is a brainchild of Dr Wheatley when he was the Minister of Agriculture, was officially introduced to the House of Assembly in February of this year and passed in April.

The Act seeks to provide for the establishment, powers and functions of the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries and the Virgin Islands Agriculture and Fisheries Authority and respect the effective administration and management of agriculture and fisheries resources in the territory.

It also speaks to the development and review of the policy for sustainable agricultural production, food security and food safety to ensure that the sound and sustainable production, management, and use of food for Virgin Islanders, residents and visitors to the territory.

The bill does these things while addressing the impacts from climate change and disasters on food production.