The Cayman Islands Department of Agriculture (DoA), under the Ministry of Planning, Lands, Agriculture, Housing & Infrastructure (MPLAHI), will host a series of stakeholder engagement meetings ahead of the implementation of the Plant Protection Act, 2023 and the associated Plant Protection Regulations, 2026.
On 9 September 2026, Cabinet approved the Plant Protection Regulations, 2026, and the Commencement Order for the Plant Protection Act 2023, paving the way for the implementation of modernised plant protection legislation in the Cayman Islands. The Act will come into force on 1 November 2026.
The new legislation establishes a modern framework for the safe and efficient trade in plants, plant products and regulated articles, while strengthening the Cayman Islands' protection against the inadvertent introduction and establishment of plant pests and diseases that could have significant impacts on agriculture, horticulture and the natural environment.
The updated framework brings the Cayman Islands further into alignment with best international practices established under the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC), to which 185 countries and territories are contracting parties.
Strengthening Plant Protection and Biosecurity
The Department of Agriculture, in its capacity as the Cayman Islands' National Plant Protection Organisation (NPPO), is responsible for administering plant health import requirements.
Under the existing system, individuals wishing to import plants and plant products, including fresh produce, cut flowers, seeds and other propagative material, are required to apply to the DoA for an import permit before these items are imported.
The import permit process allows the Department to assess the potential plant health risks associated with an import and establish appropriate conditions to mitigate the possibility of pests and diseases being introduced into the Cayman Islands.
The Plant Protection Act, 2023, expands this framework by introducing, for the first time, a specific category of Regulated Articles.
Regulated Articles are products or items that, by their nature, have the potential to harbour, transport or spread plant pests. The list includes items such as:
Regulating these items will enable the Department of Agriculture to identify and track at-risk imports, provide importers with appropriate conditions before shipment and facilitate inspections where necessary.
New Requirements for Regulated Articles
While the Act will come into force on 1 November 2026, the requirement for import permits for Regulated Articles will not take effect until 1 January 2027.
This transition period is intended to provide potential importers and other affected stakeholders with sufficient time to understand the new requirements and apply for the appropriate permits.
From 1 January 2027, individuals importing Regulated Articles will be required to obtain either a single-entry or multi-entry import permit and comply with the conditions attached to that permit. Consignments may also be subject to inspection where necessary.
Import permit fees for used equipment and other Regulated Articles have been deliberately kept affordable. The fees are primarily intended as a regulatory and biosecurity mechanism rather than a revenue measure, ensuring that importers are aware of the requirements before shipping and that DoA inspectors are aware of when regulated items are arriving in the Cayman Islands.
Used agricultural and construction equipment will also be required to arrive clean and free from soil and organic matter. Previous experience has shown that equipment can arrive carrying soil and organic material, which can create a pathway for the introduction of plant pests. Requiring equipment to be appropriately cleaned before arrival supports prevention at the point of entry rather than attempting to address a potential pest introduction after it has reached the Cayman Islands.
The Act also provides for the future regulation of international garbage and wood packaging material, including wooden pallets, bringing these areas into alignment with international plant protection standards.
Existing Plant and Plant Production Requirements Remain in Place
The requirements and conditions currently applying to the importation of plants and plant products, including produce, seeds and cut flowers, will remain unchanged when the Act comes into force on 1 November 2026.
Existing multi-entry import permits for produce, seeds and cut flowers will remain valid until their respective renewal dates.
The Department of Agriculture is encouraging importers, brokers, freight forwarders and other stakeholders to familiarise themselves with the new legislation and the requirements that will apply to Regulated Articles from 1 January 2027.
Stakeholder Engagement Meetings
To support the smooth implementation of the new legislation, the Department of Agriculture, in conjunction with MPLAHI, is conducting targeted stakeholder briefings to explain the key provisions of the Plant Protection Act and Regulations, including the list of Regulated Articles, import conditions, application procedures and updated fees.
The first briefing will be held for Brokers and Freight Forwarders:
Monday, 19 October 2026
2:00 p.m.
Seafarers Hall
11 Victory Avenue, Prospect
The second briefing will be held for Government Key Stakeholders:
Wednesday, 21 October 2026
2:00 p.m.
Seafarers Hall
11 Victory Avenue, Prospect
The meeting will also be available via Zoom for invited stakeholders who are unable to attend in person. Those wishing to participate virtually can request the Zoom link through the accompanying meeting invitation.
These meetings are intended to ensure that stakeholders understand their responsibilities before the new legislation takes effect and have an opportunity to ask questions, seek clarification and raise matters relevant to implementation.
Minister’s Statement
The Honourable Johany “Jay” Ebanks, MP, JP, Minister for Planning, Lands, Agriculture, Housing & Infrastructure (MPLAHI), stated:
“This modernised legislation strengthens our ability to protect Cayman's agriculture, environment and way of life from plant pests and diseases, while keeping trade moving efficiently for those who rely on it. I want to thank the stakeholders who have engaged with the Department of Agriculture throughout this process, and I encourage everyone affected to take part in the upcoming briefings.”
Director’s Statement
Director of Agriculture, Mr. Wilbur Welcome, stated:
“Effective implementation of the new Plant Protection Act and Regulations depends on clear communication and cooperation between Government and the private sector. These briefings give stakeholders the opportunity to understand their responsibilities, ask questions and prepare for the transition, and the Department will continue to work closely with importers, brokers and other partners in the months ahead.”
The Department encourages stakeholders to take advantage of the briefings and to review the legislation and associated information ahead of the implementation dates.
Copies of the Plant Protection Act 2023 and Plant Protection Regulations, 2026, together with information on regulated articles and import requirements, are available through the Government (gov.ky) and Department of Agriculture (doa.gov.ky) websites.
For further information, contact the Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Health Inspection Services (AHIS) at CIagricultureimports@gov.ky, or call (345) 946-2967 / (345) 947-3090.