Agriculture department says cost of Bayticol is dependent on distance of supplier

By: Chaïra Flanders

Basseterre, St. Kitts, August 14, 2019 (ZIZ News): Director of Agriculture, Melvin James says the department is doing its best at the moment to provide farmers with the best price for Bayticol, a pesticide used to kill ticks on infected animals, specifically cattle.

In an announcement on Monday, Director James revealed that Bayticol was now available at a price of 150 dollars for registered farmers.  Unregistered farmers would have to pay 200 dollars.

This announcement was followed by complaints that the product is too expensive.

However, James said that the cost provided is a subsidized price that also allows them to immediately purchase another order of the product.

The Agriculture Director also explained that the Bayticol is being shipped from a distant supplier in France, which he says contributes heavily to its cost.

He also said that the Department is trying to find a cheaper solution to the problem by experimenting with local materials.

At least 400 liters of Bayticol was shipped to St. Kitts on the weekend and cost the Department of Agriculture 350 EC dollars per litre.