Senator Soliai Tuipine is adamant that the Senate should act fast to pass a resolution to stop the importation of eggs from Samoa.
On Friday, the Ituau senator referred to media reports about the egg shipments from Samoa and said, this is a grave issue because we need to protect the health of the territory’s children.
Soliai suggested that the Senate call in the Director of Agriculture to be questioned about the eggs.
Chairman of the Agriculture Committee, Senator Ponemafua said that he, too, had read and heard media reports about the eggs from Samoa—which was the topic of a House hearing.
However, he said, the Director of Agriculture, is not on island and he doesn’t know if he’s working off island or whether he’ll be away for half the year or the whole year.
Ponemafua said that he thought under the agreement between Samoa and American Samoa, regarding all meat imports from Samoa being allowed. He felt, there was nothing wrong in holding a hearing so they could have a better understanding of the eggs.
Senate President Pro Tem, Senator Magalei Logovii, said that the director should be the one to answer senators’ questions about the matter. He believed the egg shipments were still coming in.
But Soliai insisted that they call in the Deputy Director of Agriculture, and at the same time have the Senate attorney draft a resolution to stop the egg imports.
Senator Magalei ended the discussion, saying to leave it with him to discuss with the Senate attorney concerning a resolution—as suggested by Soliai.
Any action would have to be today, as the Senate and House adjourn, after today’s session, for five weeks.
