PRESS RELEASE 

FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands 14^th January 2025 – This week, the Department of Agriculture is undertaking a groundbreaking Artificial Insemination (AI) exercise on pig farms throughout the Turks and Caicos Islands (TCI), including farms in North Caicos, Providenciales, and Grand Turk, as well as the farm at His Majesty’s Prison. This initiative aims to enhance pig production across the islands by improving the genetic quality of local pigs.

To achieve this, the Department sourced high-quality pig semen from Newport Genetics in Jamaica. The semen includes two of the most productive breeds in the world—Landrace and Large White. These breeds are renowned for their superior meat quality and high productivity, making them ideal for strengthening the local pig farming industry.

The Department has secured the expertise of Dr. Bent, a reproductive specialist from Jamaica, to carry out the insemination. Dr. Bent is working alongside the Chief Veterinary Officer, Dr. Thomas, to ensure the success of this initiative. Preparations for this week’s activities began earlier, with female pigs (sows) receiving treatments to bring them into heat, thereby optimizing the conditions for successful insemination.

This initiative aligns with the Department’s ongoing commitment to bolstering the food security status of the Turks and Caicos Islands. By improving the genetics of pigs on local farms, the Department aims to increase productivity and contribute to the islands’ sustainable agricultural development.

The Department of Agriculture would like to express its gratitude to the farmers for their cooperation and support in making this initiative a success. Together, we are building a more resilient, productive agricultural sector and improving food security in the Turks and Caicos Islands.

For further information email Agriculture@gov.tc or FB page Department of Agriculture TCI

Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands – Friday 17 January, 2024: On Thursday 16 January 2025, debris from a failed SpaceX launch impacted the Turks and Caicos Islands. In the immediacy of the outfall, the Turks and Caicos Islands Airport Authority diverted all flights in TCI airspace as well as grounded all flights until an all clear had been given.

There are no reported injuries and reports of only minimal damage to property at this time.

Today, Friday, 17 January, TCIG Officials convened a meeting with relevant partners in the United Kingdom including the UK Space Agency, who are supporting the post incident response, including technical expertise on the handling of debris, health and safety risks, protocols and procedures. The UK Air Accident Investigation Branch have been notified and discussions are ongoing with the US Federal Aviation Authority (FAA) who will liaise with SpaceX.

This is now an active investigation led by the US FAA in liaison with UK and TCI counterparts.

We are not at this time aware of any specific risks related to the re-entry of space debris on Thursday 16 January. However, space objects can sometimes contain hazardous materials which can cause serious harm to health. Members of the public who come across objects that they think might be space debris should take the following actions:

Do not touch the object
Make a note of the location (Island and exact coordinates) of the object and the time (including any maritime observations of debris)
If possible take a photograph of the object (without touching it) alongside another object for scale
Notify the authorities by sending the details to nationalsecurity@gov.tc with the subject title Space X Debris.
Space debris remains the property of the spacecraft owner

If you have already handled what you think might be space debris please put it in a safe place where others will not handle it and inform the authorities at nationalsecurity@gov.tc. Further advice will be provided for the collation of the debris.

The safety of our residents and visitors remains our highest priority. We appreciate the community’s vigilance and cooperation as we work alongside international partners to manage this incident.

Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands – Tuesday, 14 January 2025: On 12th January 2025, the Turks and Caicos Islands Border Force responded to an alert by the Marine Branch of the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force regarding the interception of an illegal vessel. Onboard were 29 illegal migrants, comprising 23 males, including two minors, and six females, including one minor.

On 13th January, the Border Force responded to another incident involving the interception of an illegal vessel. Upon arrival, 121 illegal migrants were apprehended near the vessel. This group included 103 males, one of whom was a minor, and 17 females.

These individuals are believed to be Haitian nationals and are currently being detained at the detention centre.

We extend our gratitude to the Royal Turks and Caicos Police Force and the TCI Regiment for their invaluable assistance.

Further details will be released as the investigation progresses.

The public is reminded that harbouring or facilitating the entry of illegal migrants is a serious criminal offence under the Immigration Ordinance, punishable by fines of up to $20,000 and up to four years of imprisonment.

Authorities are fully committed to prosecuting anyone found in violation of these laws to the fullest extent.

For any media inquiries, please contact crilightbourne@gov.tc