(CNS): Cabinet has approved the Plant Protection Regulations, 2026, and issued a commencement order for the Plant Protection Act, 2023, finally paving the way for the implementation of modernised plant protection legislation in the Cayman Islands. Meetings will be held this month to explain the new law to stakeholders, according to a release from the Department of Agriculture.
The new law establishes a modern framework for the safe and efficient trade in plants, plant products and regulated articles, while strengthening local protection against the inadvertent introduction and establishment of plant pests and diseases that could have significant impacts on agriculture, horticulture and the natural environment, the DoA said.
Biosecurity is an increasing problem, and numerous invasive plants and trees have caused problems here after being deliberately or accidentally imported, such as the poisonous Brazilian pepper tree and the wild tamarind, which can quickly colonise cleared spaces, crowding out native species.
The Department of Environment is consistently urging homeowners and landscapers to plant native species, which require less maintenance than imported plants and pose no danger to indigenous flora and fauna. However, the government continues to allow plants to be imported in significant quantities, posing a threat to Cayman’s natural resources.
The DoA, in its capacity as the Cayman Islands National Plant Protection Organisation (NPPO), is responsible for administering plant health import requirements.
Under the existing system, individuals wishing to import plants and plant products, including fresh produce, cut flowers, seeds and other propagative material, are required to apply to the DoA for an import permit before these items are imported.
The import permit process allows the DoA to assess the potential plant health risks associated with an import and establish appropriate conditions to mitigate the possibility of pests and diseases being introduced into the Cayman Islands.
The Plant Protection Act, 2023, expands this framework by introducing, for the first time, a specific category of Regulated Articles. Regulated Articles are products or items that, by their nature, have the potential to harbour, transport or spread plant pests.
The list includes items such as compost; planting material; organic mulches; construction aggregate; untreated and unprocessed wood products; and used agricultural and construction equipment.
Regulating these items will enable the Department of Agriculture to identify and track at-risk imports, provide importers with appropriate conditions before shipment and facilitate inspections where necessary.
“Previous experience has shown that equipment can arrive carrying soil and organic material, which can create a pathway for the introduction of plant pests,” the DoA said. “Requiring equipment to be appropriately cleaned before arrival supports prevention at the point of entry rather than attempting to address a potential pest introduction after it has reached the Cayman Islands.
The new law also provides for the future regulation of international garbage and wood packaging material, including wooden pallets, bringing these areas into alignment with international plant protection standards.
Agriculture Minister Jay Ebanks said the legislation protects Cayman’s agriculture, environment and way of life from plant pests and diseases, while keeping trade moving efficiently.
The law will come into force on 1 November, but the requirement for import permits for regulated items will not take effect until 1 January, giving importers and stakeholders two months to understand the new requirements and apply for the appropriate permits.
From 1 January, importers will be required to obtain either a single-entry or multi-entry import permit and comply with conditions. Consignments may also be subject to inspection where necessary.
The conditions currently applying to the importation of plants and plant products, including produce, seeds and cut flowers, will remain unchanged when the law comes into force. Existing multi-entry import permits for produce, seeds and cut flowers will remain valid until their respective renewal dates.
The DoA is encouraging importers, brokers, freight forwarders and other stakeholders to familiarise themselves with the new legislation.
To support a smooth implementation, the DoA will hold targeted stakeholder briefings to explain the key provisions of the Act and the regulations, including the list of Regulated Articles, import conditions, application procedures and updated fees. Two meetings will be held next week for those impacted by the new rules.
DoA Director Wilbur Welcome said, “Effective implementation of the new Plant Protection Act and Regulations depends on clear communication and cooperation between government and the private sector.
“These briefings give stakeholders the opportunity to understand their responsibilities, ask questions and prepare for the transition, and the Department will continue to work closely with importers, brokers and other partners in the months ahead.”
The updated framework brings the Cayman Islands further into alignment with best international practices established under the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC), to which 185 countries and territories are contracting parties.
The stakeholder engagement meetings will also be available via Zoom for invited stakeholders who are unable to attend in person. These meetings are intended to ensure that stakeholders understand their responsibilities before the new legislation takes effect and have an opportunity to ask questions, seek clarification and raise matters relevant to implementation.
The DoA encourages stakeholders to take advantage of the briefings and to review the legislation and associated information before implementation on 1 November.
Copies of the Plant Protection Act 2023 and Plant Protection Regulations, 2026, together with information on regulated articles and import requirements, are available through the Department of Agriculture.
For more information, contact the DoA via email CIagricultureimports@gov.ky or call (345) 946-2967.