Ministry of Agriculture declares war on infestation by Giant African Snail

Another pest is now in St Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG) that can pose a grave danger to this country’s agricultural sector.

In a ministerial statement in Parliament yesterday, July 13, Minister of Agriculture, Saboto Caesar confirmed the presence of the Giant African Snail in the state.

In his statement on Thursday said the confirmation came after samples were sent to the US Department of Agriculture.

Minister Caesar said this confirmation came on July, 10 and since then, the Ministry of Agriculture has declared the Giant African Snail to be a pest locally.

Snails were first spotted in Camden Park and Questelles on June, 23.

On July 11, snails were also found on the compound of the Ottley Hall Marina.

The Minister said on July 7, one thousand snails were removed from a site; two days later, on July 9, four thousand snails were removed from the area.

Having had confirmation of the presence of the pest, the Ministry of Agriculture has already created a comprehensive work plan to respond to the infestation.

Caesar also stated that based on a Cabinet decision, an inter-agency task force has also been established to help rid the country of the Giant African Snail.

He also disclosed that the Ministry of Agriculture has also activated a nationwide surveillance programme in relation to the pest.

The Minister said these snails can reach up to 30 cm in length and 15 cm in diameter.

“These snails are herbivores that feed on a variety of plants, fruits, nuts and flowers.

“They can also eat smaller invertebrates to satisfy their calcium and protein requirements,” Caesar explained.

These snails also multiply quickly and have few natural enemies.

Minister Caesar stressed that these snails “present a risk exponential expansion, once they gain a foothold in a new region.”

Apart from St Vincent and the Grenadines, these snails have been found in other neighbouring islands.

The Minister was, however, unable to say when the snails were first brought here, or by what means this happened.

Apart from posing a severe threat to the country’s agriculture, the Giant African Snail also presents public health concerns for parasitic infections.

The Ministry of Agriculture is warning members of the public to:

Report any suspicious sightings to the Ministry of Agriculture immediately by contacting the following numbers for further guidance- Plant Protection and Quarantine: 4571283 & 4561300; Wallilabou Agricultural station: 456 0310; Dumbarton Agricultural station: 458 5326; New Grounds Agricultural station: 451 1683; headquarters – Kingstown: 4561410.

2. Avoid direct contact with snails. Use gloves/plastic bags when handling the snail and place a sample in a sealed container.

3. Do not crush live snails: destroy snails by placing them in a salt water solution (2 cups of salt to a gallon of water, and keep the container covered for 48 hours).

4. Keep surroundings clear and clean of garbage/rubbish.

5. Do not consume any snails.