Barbados orders importers of Jamaican patties to get permit

Bridgetown, Barbados (CMC):

The Barbados government yesterday warned importers of patties of any variety from Jamaica, or fully cooked poultry products from any Caribbean Community country, that they must obtain a permit to import them

A government statement also informed persons travelling abroad who wished to bring back meat or any animal product that they must first obtain an import permit from the Veterinary Services Department of the Ministry of Agriculture, Food, Fisheries, and Water Resource Management.

It said that the permit allows persons to import up to 25 pounds of meat or meat products in their original packaging from the United States, Puerto Rico, Canada, and the United Kingdom.

“Meat and meat products include, but are not limited to, fresh, frozen, or chilled cuts of meat or poultry; and pastries containing meat filling, including meat patties, meat rolls, and roti.

Processed meats include ham, sausages, bacon, hot dogs, hamburgers, haggis, canned hams, and other meats.

The government statement gave no reason why the reminder was being issued but indicated that the meat permits were only valid for a period of 30 days after the date of issue.