This was evident on Saturday evening when about 140 people, most of whom came from various districts in St James, undertook a five-hour search, retrieve and destroy mission.

Selwyn Brooks, from the St James District Emergency Organisation (DEO), lauded Saturday's efforts by the group which got valuable support from officials of the Ministry of Agriculture.

Brooks also praised West Terrace Primary School for allowing 40 of its students to participate in the mission to "find and destroy" the snails, which have been wreaking havoc on agriculture and creating a general nuisance to society.

The students, drawn from both the 4H and Environmental clubs, used the occasion to gather information about the pests. They were supported by parents and teachers.

No clear path

It was not all a clear path forward for Brooks and the leaders of this effort to rid their communities of the snail as some people in the affected areas still did not participate.

"Unfortunately, there're still a lot of people sitting in their verandahs as if it is only a Government response to this problem," Brooks said.

The Ministry of Agriculture has set up a five-member giant African snail team which has been established to drive the eradication campaign. Entomologist Ian Gibbs said the team had been working "fantastically".

Districts covered to date included The Belle, St Michael, and surrounding areas; Rock Hall, St Thomas; Lammings and Airy Hill, St Joseph.

He said the public education programmes seemed to be increasing the awareness of the need to rid the society of the pests.

"We saw a number of dead snails which suggest that people are putting down the bait. Communities need to get the bait and put it down. Don't wait until snails appear or for a major clean up, get the bait and follow the guidelines from the Ministry of Agriculture on where and how to apply it," Brooks said.

The bait can be collected from the Bullens Agricultural station, Holders Hill or directly from the Ministry of Agriculture.

The hunt which started around 5:30 p.m. went on until just after 10 p.m. Those snails which were collected were burnt in a make- shift incinerator.

The areas covered on Saturday included Polo Ridge, Hoytes Terrace, Hoytes Village and Holders Terrace. The programme has a 30-day elevation process with a check of the areas to be undertaken over the coming weekend to determine the effectiveness of the effort. (ES)