Quote Originally Posted by TAH View Post
Hi John. Hope all is good w/ you.

She was publicly chastised by Rob (and Lisa) for telling someone that she brings limes with her to Jamaica, it turned into a big nasty thread, she left. It was pretty unfortunate, IMO. Vi was a very valuable resource to have around the forums. She was also actively trying to contribute to the local PA community, while encouraging others to do likewise. Losing her presence in this forum is a real loss for the site in general. This forum instantly died the day she left.

I even understood a little correction, or what have you coming from Rob. He does have a responsibility to inform visitors about the law. But she wasn't advocating that people flout the law, just related her past experience in the airport. Just a statement of fact, and she was berated by half of the active board users. A lot of ugliness, for no good reason other than pack mentality.
TAH,

Publicly chastised? That is a little harsh.

My reply to her, after Lisa gave a link to the Jamaica Customs information showing directly that it is illegal to bring limes was as follows:

"Vi,

There is a simple reason against bringing in fruits and veggies. The PDF that Bnewb linked states in the frequently asked questions section that the reason is, "To prevent the importation of pests and plant diseases which may be present in these produce which can pose a threat to our food security."

This mentions nothing at all about the importation for sale by importers, but has everything to do with protecting the local plants on the island from invasive pests and diseases that have no natural enemies on the island.

The agency personel to ask is not the TSA here or in another country, but the Jamaica Customs Agency, the folks who printed and posted online the official information about what is and what is not legal to bring to the island.

Because you and other people have not had their fruits and vegetables confiscated in the past is not a reason to do it in the future. Hopefully new visitors are finding this information helpful and some returning visitors will think twice before bringing in something that could possibly wipe out entire plant species in Jamaica."

As everyone can see, there was no chastising. Just facts stated.

Please don't turn this into a wild 100+ post TA battle.