THE Jamaica Agricultural Society (JAS) says it has communicated with all exhibitors as well as other food handlers the requirements for meeting certain public health regulations for this year’s staging of the Denbigh Agricultural, Industrial and Food Show.

This is in addition to addressing various other public health concerns that were identified as factors that could have possibly hindered the staging of the annual show.

Last month, the Clarendon Health Department cited a number of concerns related to the staging of the show and identified several breaches, to include vendors preparing meals without food handlers’ permits, dysfunctional toilet facilities, and active mosquito-breeding sites at the showground, among other issues.

The Ministry of Health later outlined measures that should be in place at least a week before the show to ensure its staging, which is scheduled for August 5-7 at the Denbigh Showground in Clarendon.

President of the JAS, Norman Grant, in a release on Saturday said that the organisation has been taking the appropriate steps, such as helping food handlers participating in this year’s staging to acquire their permits.

Grant said that the society has also directed their attention to the exhibitor health and food safety form, which must be completed by all exhibitors and restaurant operators. Exhibitors are required to return the form, prior to distribution of passes and other entitlements, which will commence on July 25.

“The JAS has agreed to host an on-site food handlers’ clinic in conjunction with the Clarendon Public Health Department on the Denbigh Showground on Thursday, July 13, 2017 commencing at 9:00 am. All exhibitors and restaurant operations that have workers without a valid food handler’s permit and the requisite food safety training are being encouraged to take advantage of this opportunity,” Grant said.

He noted that once any declared food handler does not have a valid permit they will not be allowed to participate in any food-handling activities. And if they fail to comply, they will be removed from the showground. Additionally, if during the show, unauthorised people are caught handling food, then Clarendon health inspectors will close down their operations until corrective actions have been taken.

Grant explained that JAS has contracted service providers in the area of landscaping, equipment operation, portable toilets, solid and liquid waste disposal, and plumbing services. He also said that the National Water Commission and the Jamaica Public Service Company are on board to address issues relating to water and electricity, respectively.

He said the society has also written to the May Pen Parish Council to assist in the cleaning of the council’s main drain that traverses the Denbigh Showground. Also, Grant said JAS is now filling the pond and other ground cavities to prevent the settlement of water that encourages mosquito breeding.

“The JAS and the Denbigh show committee will launch a Denbigh Showground ‘Work/Spruce Up Days’ on July 14, 15 and 16, 2017. These ‘Spruce Up Days’ will include all exhibitors, parish pavilion operators, all service providers to the show, as well as farmers and citizens of Clarendon and the Clarendon Health Department,” Grant stated.

He stated that at the second meeting with the Clarendon Health Department, last Thursday, it was agreed that on July 17, after the workdays, the health department will have an inspection and provide JAS with a report on the readiness of the showground. Grant said that this would give JAS a minimum of two and a half weeks before the show to address any gaps identified.