Agriculture Minister calls out poachers

Calling attention to the recent national furore about poaching, particularly the poaching of the national bird; the Scarlet Ibis, Agriculture Minister, Clarence Rambharat, says, "I think the country now understands that there is a difference between a hunter and a poacher."

"The real enemy that we have to deal with are those persons who want to behave in a way that is inconsistent with the law and do not wish to follow the rules and abide by the law."

Rambharat was speaking at the 14th Annual Hound Walk and All Breed Dog Show, hosted by the Nariva/Mayaro Hunters Group on September 2 at the BP Resource Centre, Mayaro.

He further stated, "We need to protect our activity called hunting, (since) it is very important for rural areas and it is important for (the) hunting fraternity that we continue to defend our interests and uplift what we do in pursuit of both economic gains and also enjoyment, employment, fun and good physical activity."

Rambharat publicly acknowledged Dr Reeza Mohammed, former Minister of Agriculture; a current member of the Wildlife Conservation Committee, saying Mohammed is "a man who continues to do excellent work, not only for the hunters, but also for agriculture on the whole."

The minister thanked the Nariva/Mayaro Hunters Group for their invitation to the Annual Show, which was judged by Chief Judge, Tim Lum Kin and saw the participation of hundreds of dogs.

In related news, October 1 will represent the opening of the 2017 - 2018 Hunting Season, when the Agriculture Minister will again formally open the Season and send the message that "We intend to preserve hunting in Trinidad but we intend to do it in the most appropriate manner and I look forward to a safe and successful hunting season."