PARAMARIBO, SURINAME, March 19 (NNN-PRENSA LATINA) -The Caribbean Agricultural Health and Food Safety Agency (CAHFSA) was launched here yesterday.

The agency will facilitate the harmonisation of the relevant laws and administrative practices required by the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas under the Agriculture Ministers of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) and provide assistance to member states.

Agriculture is one of CARICOM priorities as a way to reduce poverty, create jobs and counteract the current global crisis.

Strategies to strengthen negotiations regarding agriculture among the Caribbean countries will be the center of discussion at a meeting of CARICOM's regional Council for Trade and Economic Development (COTED) later this month.

In the meeting, CARICOM will also formulate alternatives to face customs barriers that hinder the access of their products to the international market. -- NNN-PRENSA LATINA