A tick problem is threatening to create a crisis among livestock producers in St. Kitts and Nevis

A tick problem is threatening to create a crisis among livestock producers in St. Kitts and Nevis and a lack of the primary chemical to combat the tick infestation is exacerbating the situation.

Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture Al Edwards says that the amblyomma tick is the main cause of the Dermatophilosis which is wreaking havoc among local farmers. The scarcity of Bayticol, because of a very low supply from the chemical’s producer, has compounded the situation.

The Agriculture Permanent Secretary indicated that it is time to start an emergency eradication programme. He revealed that there was an eradication programme before but lack of cooperation from a small pocket of livestock farmers has resulted in the reemergence of the deadly tick.

Edwards implored all farmers to come onboard with the tick eradication programme as a unified approach is critical for a successful eradication program.

For now the question of where to find a steady supplier to meet the enormous demands for Bayticol still looms.