Dr. Janil Gore-Francis is leading renewed efforts among Caribbean countries to tackle shared plant pest threats. Antigua & Barbuda now chairs emergency response initiatives for vulnerable farming regions across the islands.

Officials met this week in Trinidad and agreed to stronger protocols to fight pest outbreaks that often jump between islands. They focused on prevention, early action, and sharing strategies that have worked in similar conditions.

Agencies like FAO, USDA, and CARICOM joined in. They aim to develop systems so countries can act together rather than each working alone. The goal is safer food supplies and more resilient agriculture for the region.