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Confirmed: PNP demands answers from Gov't on reported US ban on export of food items from #Jamaica
by On the Ground News Reports. on Tuesday, November 8, 2011 at 9:01pm
The PNP in a press release obtained by OGNR has called on the Gov't to address concerns on the temporary ban on exports to the United States from some Jamaican food processing companies. The Opposition stated that it has received reports that personnell from the United States FDA are now "carrying out inspections of food processing and packaging facilities that export food items to the US."
See Full Release below:
The People’s National Party is demanding answers from the Government about what it understands to be a temporary ban on exports to the United States from some food processing companies in Jamaica.
In a statement Tuesday evening, the PNP said it has received reports that inspectors from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) of the United States, acting in accordance with the US Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA), are now in the island carrying out inspections of food processing and packaging facilities that export food items to the US. The PNP says the reports further indicate that some firms have already received “pink slips” prohibiting them from continuing shipments of food from their facilities to the US until they have complied with the requirements under the FSMA.
Shadow Minister of Industry, Investment and Commerce, Anthony Hylton said the Opposition is concerned about this development, especially in light of recent assurances from the Minister of Industry, Investment and Commerce that such inspections would not have taken place until next year.
Mr. Hylton said: “The Minister has misled the public and given a false sense of security to the several stakeholders in the industry by his repeated misrepresentation that the FDA would not be carrying out any inspections before next year. In so doing, he gave the clear impression that the government had the matter under control, when in fact, it did not.”
Mr. Hylton says the situation presents serious implications for the country. “A number of these firms may now have to close down or scale back their operations and this could result in the further laying off of hundreds of workers,” Mr. Hylton points out.
He adds that the ban on exports from food processing companies, will have direct implications for the many farmers who supply these firms, as well as for packers, manufacturers and handlers.
“The multi-million US dollar trade will be adversely affected thus worsening the trade deficit and further worsening an already difficult economic situation,” the PNP Industry Spokesman says.
He points out that the situation is compounded by the reality that compliance with the FSMA could take some time to be resolved given the lack of preparedness of the relevant government institutions assisting the industry, thus putting at risk the market arrangements between local exporters and importers in the US.
The Opposition further notes that the FSMA has been in effect since January of this year and says it is also aware that ample notification of its implementation had been given to the government for over two years.
“Recent public pronouncements by the Minister of Industry, Investment and Commerce concerning measures in support of the industry was, alas, too little and came too late,” adds Mr. Hylton.
Mr. Hylton says given these development and the implications for the workers, the industry and the country’s economy, the Opposition is demanding that the government gives the country a full account of the FDA’s inspection efforts and its outcomes so far, as well as government’s plan of action for dealing with this situation.
by On the Ground News Reports. on Tuesday, November 8, 2011 at 9:01pm
The PNP in a press release obtained by OGNR has called on the Gov't to address concerns on the temporary ban on exports to the United States from some Jamaican food processing companies. The Opposition stated that it has received reports that personnell from the United States FDA are now "carrying out inspections of food processing and packaging facilities that export food items to the US."
See Full Release below:
The People’s National Party is demanding answers from the Government about what it understands to be a temporary ban on exports to the United States from some food processing companies in Jamaica.
In a statement Tuesday evening, the PNP said it has received reports that inspectors from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) of the United States, acting in accordance with the US Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA), are now in the island carrying out inspections of food processing and packaging facilities that export food items to the US. The PNP says the reports further indicate that some firms have already received “pink slips” prohibiting them from continuing shipments of food from their facilities to the US until they have complied with the requirements under the FSMA.
Shadow Minister of Industry, Investment and Commerce, Anthony Hylton said the Opposition is concerned about this development, especially in light of recent assurances from the Minister of Industry, Investment and Commerce that such inspections would not have taken place until next year.
Mr. Hylton said: “The Minister has misled the public and given a false sense of security to the several stakeholders in the industry by his repeated misrepresentation that the FDA would not be carrying out any inspections before next year. In so doing, he gave the clear impression that the government had the matter under control, when in fact, it did not.”
Mr. Hylton says the situation presents serious implications for the country. “A number of these firms may now have to close down or scale back their operations and this could result in the further laying off of hundreds of workers,” Mr. Hylton points out.
He adds that the ban on exports from food processing companies, will have direct implications for the many farmers who supply these firms, as well as for packers, manufacturers and handlers.
“The multi-million US dollar trade will be adversely affected thus worsening the trade deficit and further worsening an already difficult economic situation,” the PNP Industry Spokesman says.
He points out that the situation is compounded by the reality that compliance with the FSMA could take some time to be resolved given the lack of preparedness of the relevant government institutions assisting the industry, thus putting at risk the market arrangements between local exporters and importers in the US.
The Opposition further notes that the FSMA has been in effect since January of this year and says it is also aware that ample notification of its implementation had been given to the government for over two years.
“Recent public pronouncements by the Minister of Industry, Investment and Commerce concerning measures in support of the industry was, alas, too little and came too late,” adds Mr. Hylton.
Mr. Hylton says given these development and the implications for the workers, the industry and the country’s economy, the Opposition is demanding that the government gives the country a full account of the FDA’s inspection efforts and its outcomes so far, as well as government’s plan of action for dealing with this situation.
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