As part of its ongoing monitoring programme to increase environmental compliance, the National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA) has been targeting a number of industries island- wide.  The latest is the coffee industry and in particular Blue Mountain Coffee producers.   This particular group was chosen given that most of the facilities operate in the Blue Mountains, which is a sensitive area.  In addition, some facilities are adjacent to the Blue and John Crow Mountains National Park for which the Jamaica Conservation and Development Trust  (JCDT) has a delegation agreement to manage on behalf of the Natural Resources Conservation Authority (NRCA).  

NEPA met with the Blue Mountain Coffee producers in July 2009 to review the impacts of these coffee facilities on the environment.  A ten point plan was developed to address some concerns and the facilities were given six months to rectify them.  NEPA again met with the coffee producers Thursday, February 11, to review the status of each facility’s operations.  At the meeting, which also included representatives of the Coffee Industry Board (CIB), a review of the environmental management of the facilities was conducted and recommendations made for further improvements.  All coffee processing facilities require environmental clearance in order to receive certification from the CIB.  

This initiative is also in line with the Code of Practice for the coffee industry which was developed by the Environmental Action (ENACT) programme, a project implemented by NEPA.  The code provides technical guidelines for environmental management for the industry.  Among other things, it details the policies and processes, knowledge and skills to improve the consistency of environmental management standards and practices, thereby improving operating efficiencies while protecting the environment and conserving resources. 

The Agency will continue to monitor these and other facilities to ensure that sound environmental management is sustained.