... MOH says no

The odds of the 65th staging of the Denbigh Agricultural, Industrial and Food show being cancelled have gone up significantly following the failure of the representatives from organisers, the Jamaica Agricultural Society (JAS), to meet with public health officers yesterday to discuss outstanding public health breaches.

"I can tell you categorically at this time (that) unless something changes dramatically, the show is a no go," Dr Winston De La Haye, the country's chief medical officer, told The Gleaner last evening.

"I've had a detailed report from my public health team in the region and my understanding is that the approach (of the JAS) has been one which can be described as dismissive. My team has made several efforts at outlining the issues with absolutely no confidence at this time that anything will be done. We are beyond discussion and we want to see action!" said De La Haye before going on to defend the decision.

"Should 200 people fall ill, we are the ones who have to take the blame, and it's easy to happen," the chief medical officer noted, as he lamented the stance of the JAS on such a serious national issue.

"They have shown scant regard for the information we have provided and, worse yet, the person who should have turned up for the meeting today (yesterday) was not available. At this point, the team is beyond frustrated and has no confidence that anything will be done."