News Releases

UWI Emphasizes Science-Based Approach to Giant African Snail Control

For Release Upon Receipt - February 7, 2025

St. Augustine


 

Professor Mark Wuddivira, Dean of the Faculty of Food and Agriculture at The UWI St. Augustine, visits the snail pens, accompanied by Professor Prince E. Kainga and other NDU staff.

St. Augustine, February 7, 2025 – In response to growing concerns over the rising infestation of the Giant African Snail (GAS) in Trinidad and Tobago, The University of the West Indies (The UWI), St. Augustine’s Faculty of Food and Agriculture (FFA) has taken the lead in innovative research into the risks and potential benefits of GAS. This initiative, which will be in collaboration with the University of Trinidad and Tobago (UTT), involving key Government Ministries, and civil society stakeholders, aims to establish best practices for the safe handling and sustainable integrated pest management strategies to mitigate agricultural, health and ecological risks.

 The initiative follows recent advisories from Ministry of Agriculture, Land and Fisheries (MALF), which identified GAS as a major agricultural pest that threatens local crops and serves as a vector for diseases such as rat lungworm and salmonella. The Ministry of Health (MOH) has further cautioned that the snail may carry toxins from agrochemicals, posing additional health hazards. Despite these warnings, anecdotal evidence and social media activity suggest a rising trend of GAS consumption in the country, an alarming development that underscores the urgent need for scientific research and public education.

 Internationally, GAS is considered a delicacy in countries such as France, Spain, and Nigeria, valued for its nutritional, medicinal, and economic benefits. However, in Trinidad and Tobago, it remains an aggressive and highly invasive pest due to its ability to reproduce rapidly, which enable rapid population growth and intensify agricultural, health and ecological challenges.

 The importance of sustainable GAS management was highlighted during the recent visit of Professor Mark Wuddivira, Dean of The UWI’s Faculty of Food and Agriculture, to Nigeria’s Niger Delta University (NDU), Nigeria where he delivered a public lecture on December 4, 2024. Ahead of the public lecture, Professor Wuddivira paid a visit to Kester Amos Consultancy Services Limited’s Giant African Snail farm in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State. At the farm, best practices for the production, safe handling, preparation, processing, and cooking of GAS for human consumption were showcased. This sparked significant interest, particularly given the GAS crisis in Trinidad and Tobago.  

 While no health cases related to GAS consumption have been reported locally, the increasing interest in its use as food has reinforced the need for evidence-based protocols. Beyond food safety, researchers are also exploring sustainable pest management strategies, the snail’s nutritional profile, and its potential economic and pharmaceutical applications.

 In response to the January 24, 2025, MOH advisory warning that “improper handling or improper cooking can lead to bacterial contamination,” The UWI FFA and its research partners are emphasizing the importance of scientific rigor in developing safety guidelines. Until official protocols are established, The UWI and UTT urge the public to refrain from consuming GAS.

 As part of this initiative, The UWI St. Augustine will host public lectures and community engagement sessions in collaboration with UTT to raise awareness and educate stakeholders on the risks and potential benefits of GAS.

 “This initiative reflects The UWI FFA’s commitment to turning challenges into opportunities,” said Professor Wuddivira. “We are excited to leverage research and partnerships to explore the potential benefits of GAS and develop data-driven solutions to mitigate its ecological and health risks.”

 This collaborative research marks a critical step toward balancing public health, food security, and environmental sustainability in Trinidad and Tobago.

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About The University of the West Indies

 The University of the West Indies (The UWI) is the Caribbean’s premier higher education institution and one of only two regional universities in the world. With five campuses across the English-speaking Caribbean and global centres in partnership with universities in North America, Latin America, Asia, Africa, and Europe, The UWI continues to be a beacon of academic excellence, research innovation, and societal impact. Consistently ranked among the world’s best by Times Higher Education (THE), The UWI is a global leader in addressing critical challenges, including climate change, sustainability, and development.

 As The UWI St. Augustine Campus celebrates its 65th  anniversary in 2025 under the theme Beyond 65: From the Caribbean, For the World, it pays tribute to its Caribbean roots while highlighting its contributions to solving global challenges. This milestone underscores the campus's significant role in producing ground-breaking research and fostering talent that transcends regional boundaries to shape a better world. The UWI St. Augustine’s researchers, academics, and graduates continue to make an international impact, exemplifying the university’s mission to serve the region while influencing the world.

 Learn more at www.uwi.edu 

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