Antigua and Barbuda
Country introduction:
Antigua and Barbuda is a two-island nation which is located in the Eastern Caribbean. The population of under 100,000 - with approximately 1600 living in Barbuda just prior to the September 2017 devastation by Hurricane Irma - is largely of African descent. The economy is largely service oriented, with trade imports contributing approximately US$450 million, and exports amounting to about US$40 million.
The Convention on Biological Diversity and the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety were ratified by Antigua and Barbuda on December 29, 1993 and December 9, 2003, respectively. The Nagoya Protocol on Access and Benefit Sharing was ratified on March 12, 2017.
Antigua and Barbuda has, since 2002, been actively involved in assessing, developing and implementing a national biosafety framework for the country. Stakeholder consultations, training of regulators, development of national draft legislation, regulatory attachments and other capacity building activities constitute the main efforts in the process. In recent times, through a UNEP-GEF funded regional project, several activities were undertaken at the regional level with a view to harmonise the issue of biosafety across the Caribbean region.
Food and feed safety assessment capacity building stakeholder training activities were conducted in the first quarter of 2018 to assist the country in the process going forward.
A regional workshop for the Caribbean (organised by the Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity and the Government of the Republic of Korea) on Risk Assessment of Living Modified Organisms over the period December 2-6, 2024 was held in Antigua and Barbuda. The workshop was successfully held and served to (re-)train professionals in the region on the conduct of LMO risk assessments.
The Convention on Biological Diversity and the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety were ratified by Antigua and Barbuda on December 29, 1993 and December 9, 2003, respectively. The Nagoya Protocol on Access and Benefit Sharing was ratified on March 12, 2017.
Antigua and Barbuda has, since 2002, been actively involved in assessing, developing and implementing a national biosafety framework for the country. Stakeholder consultations, training of regulators, development of national draft legislation, regulatory attachments and other capacity building activities constitute the main efforts in the process. In recent times, through a UNEP-GEF funded regional project, several activities were undertaken at the regional level with a view to harmonise the issue of biosafety across the Caribbean region.
Food and feed safety assessment capacity building stakeholder training activities were conducted in the first quarter of 2018 to assist the country in the process going forward.
A regional workshop for the Caribbean (organised by the Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity and the Government of the Republic of Korea) on Risk Assessment of Living Modified Organisms over the period December 2-6, 2024 was held in Antigua and Barbuda. The workshop was successfully held and served to (re-)train professionals in the region on the conduct of LMO risk assessments.
Regulatory framework:
My country is in the process in developing a regulatory framework that requires the competent authority to conduct safety assessment of GM food.
Structure for GM food safety assessment:
My country is in the process in developing a structure for GM food safety assessment.
Supplemental information (regulatory framework):
Antigua and Barbuda has developed the Biosafety and Biotechnology Management Bill as well as four supporting biosafety regulations (contained use, environmental release, import-export, transit, and labelling). These have been submitted for placement on the government's legislative agenda but to date remain as drafts.
At present, risk assessment for LMOs is conducted under the general regime which exists for the assessment of other regulated plant and animal commodities, primarily in the National Plant Protection Organization (NPPO) and the Animal Health Services of the Government of Antigua and Barbuda.
In 2017, one output of a GEF-funded regional biosafety project was the training of two persons who acquired Master of Science degrees in Biosafety from the University of the West Indies. One of these persons is based at the NPPO while the other functions out of the laboratory of the Department of Analytical Services of the Government of Antigua and Barbuda.
At present, risk assessment for LMOs is conducted under the general regime which exists for the assessment of other regulated plant and animal commodities, primarily in the National Plant Protection Organization (NPPO) and the Animal Health Services of the Government of Antigua and Barbuda.
In 2017, one output of a GEF-funded regional biosafety project was the training of two persons who acquired Master of Science degrees in Biosafety from the University of the West Indies. One of these persons is based at the NPPO while the other functions out of the laboratory of the Department of Analytical Services of the Government of Antigua and Barbuda.
Relevant contact details:
In Antigua and Barbuda, the conduct of food safety assessments is a shared activity amongst several competent authorities. The details are as follows:
ANTIGUA AND BARBUDA BUREAU OF STANDARDS [CODEX Focal Point], Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Trade & Barbuda Affairs; Old Parham Road; St. John's, Antigua; Email: [email protected]; website: www.abbs.gov.ag
Contact persons: Mrs. Solange Baptiste - Director
DEPARTMENT OF ANALYTICAL SERVICES [Biosafety Testing Laboratory]; Ministry of Agriculture, Lands, Fisheries & the Blue Economy, Dunbars, Friars Hill Road, St. John's, Antigua; Email - [email protected]; Tel. +1(268)462-6281, +1(268)764-8338
Contact person
Dr. Linroy Christian - Director of Analytical Services
DEPARTMENT OF THE ENVIRONMENT [Focal Point]; Ministry of Health, Wellness, Environment and Civil Service Affairs; No. 1 Victoria Park, Botanical Gardens, Sir Sidney Walling Highway, St. John's, Antigua; Email - [email protected]; Tel. +1(268)462-4625; Website - www.environment.gov.ag
Contact person:
Ambassador Diann Black-Layne - Director
PLANT PROTECTION [Biosafety Clearing House]; Plant Protection Division; Ministry of Agriculture, Lands, Fisheries & the Blue Economy; Upper Corn Alley, St. John's, Antigua; Tel. +1(268)562-2776, +1(268)764-1255, +1(268)764-7378; Email: [email protected]; Website - www.agriculture.gov.ag/index.php/plant-protection
Contact persons:
1. Dr. Janil Gore-Francis - Chief Plant Protection Officer
2. Mrs. Kishma Primus-Ormond - Senior Plant Protection Officer
VETERINARY & LIVESTOCK DIVISION [Animal Health]; Ministry of Agriculture, Lands, Fisheries & the Blue Economy, P.O. Box 1282, St. John's, Antigua; Tel. +1(268)562-7592, +1(268)764-1263; Email - [email protected]
Contact person:
Dr. Tubal Edwards - Chief Veterinary Officer
ANTIGUA AND BARBUDA BUREAU OF STANDARDS [CODEX Focal Point], Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Trade & Barbuda Affairs; Old Parham Road; St. John's, Antigua; Email: [email protected]; website: www.abbs.gov.ag
Contact persons: Mrs. Solange Baptiste - Director
DEPARTMENT OF ANALYTICAL SERVICES [Biosafety Testing Laboratory]; Ministry of Agriculture, Lands, Fisheries & the Blue Economy, Dunbars, Friars Hill Road, St. John's, Antigua; Email - [email protected]; Tel. +1(268)462-6281, +1(268)764-8338
Contact person
Dr. Linroy Christian - Director of Analytical Services
DEPARTMENT OF THE ENVIRONMENT [Focal Point]; Ministry of Health, Wellness, Environment and Civil Service Affairs; No. 1 Victoria Park, Botanical Gardens, Sir Sidney Walling Highway, St. John's, Antigua; Email - [email protected]; Tel. +1(268)462-4625; Website - www.environment.gov.ag
Contact person:
Ambassador Diann Black-Layne - Director
PLANT PROTECTION [Biosafety Clearing House]; Plant Protection Division; Ministry of Agriculture, Lands, Fisheries & the Blue Economy; Upper Corn Alley, St. John's, Antigua; Tel. +1(268)562-2776, +1(268)764-1255, +1(268)764-7378; Email: [email protected]; Website - www.agriculture.gov.ag/index.php/plant-protection
Contact persons:
1. Dr. Janil Gore-Francis - Chief Plant Protection Officer
2. Mrs. Kishma Primus-Ormond - Senior Plant Protection Officer
VETERINARY & LIVESTOCK DIVISION [Animal Health]; Ministry of Agriculture, Lands, Fisheries & the Blue Economy, P.O. Box 1282, St. John's, Antigua; Tel. +1(268)562-7592, +1(268)764-1263; Email - [email protected]
Contact person:
Dr. Tubal Edwards - Chief Veterinary Officer
GM food safety assessment guidelines:
My country follows the relevant Codex Guidelines or national/regional guidelines that are in line with the Codex Guidelines in conducting safety assessment of GM food.
Conduct of GM food safety assessment:
My country does not regularly conduct food safety assessment of GM food, but has conducted at least once in the past.
Supplemental information (assessment):
Two food and feed safety assessments have been completed to date for events MON801 (maize) and GTS40-3-2 (soybean). The respective documents can be found below under "Relevant Links - Other Relevant Documents".
Regulation stacked events:
The country is in the process of developing relevant policies on assessment of stacked events, or there is no specific regulation on stacked events.
Supplemental information (stacked events):
GM food/feed production:
My country does not produce any GM food or feed.
GM food/feed imports:
My country allows imports GM food or feed upon authorization.
Supplemental information (production and trade):
LLP/AP incidents:
My country does not monitor LLP/AP situations.
Supplemental information (LLP/AP incidents):
Labelling requirement:
My country is in the process of developing regulations/policies on GM food labeling.
Supplemental information (labelling requirement):
Upload relevant documents: