Greater Caribbean Safeguarding Initiative (GCSI) for Mutual Collaboration to Strengthen Offshore Safeguarding Efforts in the Greater Caribbean Region.

Abstract

As new pests increasingly continue to enter through various pathways, the Greater Caribbean Region (GCR) presents a significantly high risk to the USA and the Caribbean. In an effort to reduce this risk, it is essential to mitigate this risk offshore. In 2008, the USDA-APHIS-PPQ formalised the Greater Caribbean Safeguarding Initiative (GCSI), a United States of America national programme which seeks to strengthen APHIS' partnership with countries in the GCR for on-going regional development of offshore pest detection and control activities for the benefit of the United States. This project seeks to strengthen the safeguarding efforts in order to build technical capacity, resources and develop long term sustainability with the GCR, to harmonise and regionalise mitigation capabilities that ultimately strengthens and enhances the United States mitigation and safeguarding efforts.