Trinidad affairs – summary of agricultural and food policy

Soda and juice tax – a high tax, designed to reduce consumption of SWEETENED BEVERAGES and improve health. Drinks covered include CARBONATED SOFT DRINKS, SPORTS DRINKS, HIGH SUGAR JUICE AND ENERGY DRINKS.

Unhealthy solid food tax – a high tax on solids of dangerously high content of PRESERVATIVES, SALT, FAT, CHOLESTEROL, OILS, SUGAR. Certain PROCESSED meats and packaged foods as well, among them white bread, pork and ham. Policy intervention is an effort to decrease obesity and the health impacts related to being overweight.
NOTE – in tandem is increased availability of healthy foods like whole wheat and collaboration with manufacturers.

Subsidized low and zero fat, cholesterol and sugar consumption – a preventative medicine measure, foods, drinks and snacks example: chia, almond butter, sourdough bread, Splenda, versions of chocolate and ice cream, Glucerna, whole wheat, so to healthy processed foods are government subsidized 30% thirty percent.

General strategy to grow foods locally – TT imports $5 billion dollars yearly, reduced if foods locally grown and needed for food security.

Establishment of an agricultural institute – state funded, local and foreign experts employed and not limited to exploring and developing techniques concerning agriculture and sciences.

Given to anyone FREE FARMS: includes lands, equipment, housing, seeds, animals and advice. One means to SPEEDILY increase farms in number. The untrained must undergo a training program.

Reduced local food cost – this way consumers pay less for locally raised or grown product.

Farmer subsidies – the state shall for big and small farms their specific assets such as feed, animals and medicine.

Trinidad and Tobago EXPORTS food – once local farms are adequate, done on a large scale, enough to grow majority of food than importing.

Deemphasized processed and chemically treated food – linked to cancer (carcinogen) and other illness. PROCESSED FOODS contain unhealthy salt and preservatives. Mandatory shall it be for local and foreign manufacturers to have the substances as safe levels.

Tackling Praedial Larceny in Trinidad – defined is theft of agricultural produce. Government shall enact all suitable and sufficient measures, inclusive of a effective Praedial Larceny Squad.

Vat removed – specifically from essential agri inputs like feedstuffs, fertilizers and permitted plant protection products. Should any vat be present. In turn facilitates cheaper food for consumers.

Sugar cane revival – serves diversification, the purpose FOOD AND ENERGY. Non food applications include bagasse, ethanol bio fuel and electricity. Sugar imports no more and any locally grown surplus exported.

Labor drive – find workers from anywhere to support expanded farming. Humane working conditions mandated.

Trinidad’s cocoa and chocolate industries – in league with farmers is investigated as to its status and ways to develop further. TRINITARIO is one local type.

Investigate growing wheat locally – Guyana grows it. Trinidad with a similar climate might be able too.

Fishermen’s equipment – state subsidized subsidized 50% are GPS trackers and life jacket.