There have been approximately 15,000 giant African snails caught by
the Ministry of Agriculture so far.
This is according to Minister of Transport and Works, Montgomery
Daniel.
Minister Daniel was at the time was applauding the agriculture ministry
for their work in eradicating the invasive species.
“The Ministry of Agriculture continues to do good work. At the moment
there is the eradication of the Giant African Snail and they are doing
quite good work there in terms of reducing the population. Their hunting
and baiting methods are doing extremely well, my understand is that
they have already caught over 15,000 snails and they’re doing quite
good work,” he said.
The Giant African Snail was officially declared a pest here in St.
Vincent and the Grenadines in July 2023.
Minister of Agriculture Saboto Caesar during parliament had confirmed
the presence of the invasive species on the island.
Minister Caesar at the time said it is difficult to estimate precisely when
the snails were first introduced to St Vincent and the Grenadines, and by
what means.