11 February 2019
St Helena can be seen as a leading model for biosecurity among the 14 UK Overseas Territories and, in continuing to build on this good work, has this year secured UK Government funding for support in drafting biosecurity legislation for the Island – a key component of the existing Biosecurity Policy.
Biosecurity legislation will provide an appropriate legal framework for the existing activities and set a standard for other territories to emulate. It will also strengthen future funding applications for managing invasive species, such as through Darwin Plus and the replacement for EU funding streams, once these come online.
Manager of the Overseas Territories Biosecurity Project, funding the legal support, Jill Key, said:
“It’s great to see St Helena taking the lead again. St Helena did well to secure the funding available this financial year and I look forward to seeing the legislation completed and the national Biosecurity Policy fully implemented.”
The Island’s Biosecurity Policy was endorsed in 2014 and the biosecurity team, led by the Agriculture & Natural Resources Division (ANRD), works to international standards to ensure that the risk of introducing new pests, weeds and diseases to St Helena is as low as possible. The national vision for biosecurity is ‘an effective biosecurity system of shared responsibility that protects the sustainable future of our Island, allowing a vibrant economy, safe movement of people and goods, and enhanced livelihoods and health.’
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SHG
11 February 2019