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Reprinted from Caribbean Net News
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Guyana to export beef and poultry to Trinidad and Tobago

by Marcia Braveboy

Tuesday, January 11, 2005

PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad: CARICOM Trade Ministers are presently discussing a proposal for exporting beef and poultry from Guyana to Trinidad and Tobago.

The Trinidad and Tobago Poultry Association says that Guyana will have to prove that its product can meet regional standards.

Trade Minister Ken Valley went to Guyana to discuss the issue with the CARICOM trade ministers, along with other intraregional trade matters, including Guyana’s rice exports to Trinidad and Tobago and Jamaica.

Executive Director of the Caribbean Poultry Association, Robert Best, said local chicken producers should not fear the standards of products coming out of Guyana since CARICOM is working assiduously to set standards in the poultry industry of the region.

Best indicated that the Caribbean Association is laying down the minimum rules required; he praised countries like Barbados for taking the lead in implementing and adopting those rules. He urged that other regional states do the same as Barbados so that they can eventually get into the markets; he noted that they will have to be as fast and as efficient as Barbados in getting things in place.

But President of the Trinidad and Tobago Poultry dealers association Robin Phillips says they are concerned about inspection control. “When we say controls we mean from the farms through the hat-tries, in the processing plants -- are there enough independent surveillance officers to monitor what is taking place in the operations in Guyana, are they suitably qualified surveillance officers;” said Phillips.

He also expressed concern over the fact that Guyana also imports poultry from America and may not be able to produce chickens to Trinidad & Tobago at any great cost advantage. Phillips said it will be interesting to see the price for Trinidad & Tobago as compared to the price for Guyana; the concern being whether it will be a case of dumping. However Phillips the real risk is the health risk of the Trinidad and Tobago local flock.

In late December the Minister of Trade, Ken Valley, sent out a 26-page discussion document which is currently being examined by poultry producers.

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