Following the recent massive fish kill from effluent spillage by Windalco in the Rio Cobre river in St. Catherine, Minister of Agriculture And Fisheries Pearnel Charles Jr. confirms that about sixty-seven farmers have lost in excess of sixty (60) million dollars.
The minister notes that the penalty issued to Windalco is the largest, underpinning that the government is quite serious about protecting the environment and its farmers. Charles Jr. says the farmers have expressed that the situation is disheartening. He also confirms that his ministry has been putting measures in place to compensate the farmers affected.
He says plans are underway to secure farmers from future blows. However, he is reminding them to make their businesses as legitimate as possible, so they’ll be able to benefit from what is to come.
The Jamaica Agricultural Society and the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation are collaborating with the Agriculture Ministry to right the wrongs caused by the July fish kill. Watch the full report here:
Reporter: Velonique Bowen
