CAMPDEN PARK, St. Vincent April 16, 2026- The Plant Protection and Quarantine Unit within the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Rural Transformation continued its series of sensitisation sessions, focusing on the baiting and eradication of the invasive Giant African Snail. The latest session was held at the Hard Court in Campden Park, where snail bait was distributed as part of efforts to control the spread of the pest.
Attendees participated in an interactive programme that highlighted the identification of the Giant African Snail, proper methods for destroying the snails, and the correct techniques for broadcasting snail bait a method that involves spreading bait evenly across the soil surface to ensure snails encounter it wherever they move.
Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Rural Transformation, Hon. Israel Bruce, underscored the collaborative nature of the initiative, stressing that both the Ministry and the community must work together by educating residents on the safe application of bait in their immediate environment. He noted that the exercise forms part of the Ministry’s ongoing campaign to eradicate the species.
Minister Bruce also shared his experience during a recent visit to Abuja, Nigeria, where the Giant African Snail is used as a culinary delicacy. He said the contrast between its role in Nigerian cuisine and its destructive impact in St. Vincent and the Grenadines highlights the importance of local eradication efforts.
The Ministry announced that similar sensitisation sessions will be held in the coming weeks as part of its continuing programme to combat the invasive species.