Staff Reporter

The Tobacco Industry Marketing Board (TIMB) has announced the review of dates for the destruction of seedbeds and the need to adhere to pest and disease regulations warning that growers who fail to meet the deadline will be subjected to a fine not exceeding one hundred dollars for each hectare.

In a statement yesterday, the TIMB said although the last day of destroying all seedbeds was 31 December 2021, many growers of rain-fed tobacco have not been able to transplant their crops within the required timeframe due to the late onset of the rains.

“Pursuant to the above, the Minister exempts tobacco growers from the above requirement in terms of Section 5(1) of the Plant Pests and Diseases (Tobacco) Regulations, 1979,” reads part of the Statement.

According to the Statement, the last date of destroying all tobacco plants in seed-beds shall be 10 January 2022 in the case of plants of a type other than oriental. All tobacco growers are required to adhere to all other legislated dates to prevent and reduce carryover of diseases and pests.”

“For contravention of regulations requiring the destruction of tobacco plants by a specified date or prohibiting the planting of tobacco plants between specified dates, a grower will be subjected to a fine not exceeding one hundred dollars for each hectare or part thereof in respect of which the offence is committed or to imprisonment for a period not exceeding one year or to both such fine and such imprisonment, for a first offence.

“For a second or subsequent conviction, offenders will be subjected to a fine not exceeding two hundred dollars for each hectare or part thereof in respect of which the offence is committed or to imprisonment for a period not exceeding two years or to both such fine and such imprisonment,” said the statement.