Dear Editor,

For over 94 years H&L has been a leader in agriculture, providing quality products and expertise to generations of Jamaican farmers.

A significant part of our success is the pioneering work of our Deputy CEO Olive Downer Walsh, whose impeccable integrity matches her authoritative knowledge and experience built during a 40-year career in agriculture and management.

As a member of three consecutive boards of the Rural Agriculture Development Authority (RADA), appointed by three ministers of agriculture in April 2016, June 2018, and November 2020, Downer Walsh’s first mission has always been to serve the nation with probity and distinction.

Like other industry stakeholders called on to contribute expertise to the national agenda, Downer Walsh declared her commercial ties upon being appointed and did so as an agenda item at board meetings.

It is unfortunate that suggestions have been made that H&L inappropriately benefited from Downer Walsh’s presence on the RADA board.

The review process for RADA contracts for which H&L offered bids was always open and transparent and the National Integrity Commission (NIC) has concluded that there is no evidence that Downer Walsh or H&L obtained any improper benefit from her association with RADA.

We are proud of her integrity, sincerity, and transparency, and we hope that spurious suggestions like the one that initiated the NIC’s investigations will not dissuade professionals like Downer Walsh from standing in service to our nation.

H&L remains committed to serving the people of Jamaica, through partnerships with RADA, the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, and our commercial and charity partners. As the qualitative leader we have always provided the industry with technical support, and we will continue to deliver high-quality products and services and respond to the needs of our people for food security and shelter.

H&L