 The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries, Natural Resources and Corporate has officially opened a diagnostic facility in Union. Anissa Antwan has the details. As the demand for agriculture continues to expand through the growing needs of society, so does the constant threat of the introduction, establishment and spread of pests and diseases, as well as climate change and pre-deal larceny. The newly established National Agricultural Diagnostic Facility will enable production challenges to be approached scientifically through the diagnostic expertise of the laboratory system, thereby strengthening value chains that provide improved access to more affordable, better quality goods. Director of Agricultural Services, Dr. Aria King-Snack, says the establishment of the diagnostic facility will play a vital role in the industrial and socioeconomic development of St. Lucia. I want us to take full advantage of NADAF to efficiently and timely diagnose diseases that can impact on our socioeconomic well-being. Just remember the ability to control, contain and eradicate a disease with little economic impact is by early detection, warning and action. Perfecting weights and measures and calibration of equipment by the St. Lucia Bureau of Standards continue to play a vital role in the industrial and economic development of St. Lucia, as these services ensure guaranteed accuracy and reliability of measuring instruments. The inclusion of the metrology lab at this premises would serve to enhance our client's confidence in the processes as periodic calibration of equipment against national standards would be performed. Director of the St. Lucia Bureau of Standards, Verne Manual informs the metrology lab has been awarded accreditation to ISO IEC 17-025-2017 General Requirements for the Competence and Calibration Laboratories, Effective November 2nd, 2020. ISO 17-025 specifies the general requirement for the competence to carry out our tests and calibrations, including sampling. It covers testing and calibration performed using standard methods, non-standard methods and laboratory developed methods. Accreditation means that the SLBS laboratory has been assessed for technical competence in calibration services, and the calibration results produce meet all specifications for technically sound findings. The Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries, Physical Planning, Natural Resources and Cooperatives, Honourable Ezekiel Joseph, is enthusiastic about the operationalization of the facility and its benefits. Food safety is critical. Food safety is something I've been speaking a lot about, and I'm sure with the operation of this facility we shall be able to produce the type of products that our consumers would have confidence in, and of course we can see the continued consumption of our locally grown products. The National Agricultural Diagnostic Facility is funded by the European Union under the ATP BAM program. From the Communications Unit of the Department of Agriculture, I am Anicia Antoine reporting.