The Ministry of Agriculture has decided to undertake a comprehensive review of the Agricultural Emergency Rehabilitation Programme (AERP). The objective of the review is to identify weaknesses in the Programme and effect changes to improve the Programme. Since the commencement of the Programme on November 1st 2004, $7.9 million (EC) has been expended and more than 8,000 farm workers and 1,500 farmers benefited from the Programme. Apart from the payment of labour, farmers have benefited from fertilizer, seeds and tool distribution, as well as chain saw services including gas and oil. Notwithstanding, the Programme has been faced with three major problems: -late payment of wages cheques -unavailability of banana plants in particular -unqualified persons participating in the programme The Ministry wishes to advise that the Programme will be temporarily suspended with effect from Friday, January 21, 2005, to facilitate the rectification of these problems. During this break all backlog in payments will be cleared and new and upgraded structures put in place. Area meetings with farmers were scheduled to begin on Tuesday 18th January to discuss the changes to the Programme in more detail. All meetings commence at 4:30 p.m. The Ministry urges the farming community to co-operate during the period of review so that on recommencement there will be no outstanding wage payments and only those qualified farmers, workers and supervisory staff who will ensure a fair day’s work and a fair distribution of fertilizer will return to the Programme. The Ministry of Agriculture is committed to the reconstruction of the Agricultural Industry and will continue to provide support to the Nation’s farmers. Source: Ministry of Agriculture, Lands, Forestry, Fisheries, Energy and Public Utilities