| – goods removal from overseas shelves worryingThe unfair removal of Guyana goods from shelves of overseas supermarkets and the absence of uniform standards to ensure that low quality imports do not hit the local markets are being targeted for redress by local businesses.Local businesses are calling for a review of Guyana’s sanitary and phytosanitary standards in light of reported incidences where local goods were pulled off shelves of overseas supermarkets.According to the Private Sector Commission (PSC),Cheap NFL Jerseys China, as Guyana strives to effectively compete in international trade, there is a dire need to improve its sanitary and phytosanitary standards.These standards are used to ensure that food is safe for consumption and to protect human, animal and plant health from externalities that may affect their existence.Standards assist trade by offering authorities and buyers the reassurance that products purchased will not cause harm to the health of plants, animals and humans in the importing country, PSC stressed yesterday in a statement.“In view of the fact that Guyana is a developing country with abundant agricultural resources,China Jerseys, it is forced to meet the stringent sanitary and phytosanitary standards of developed countries.However,Blake Swihart Jersey, these sanitary and phytosanitary standards prove challenging to establish. Guyana lacks adequate capacity, equipment and laboratories to ensure that its products meet international standards unchallenged. There is also a great need for training to educate all stakeholders in trade about the importance of sanitary and phytosanitary standards.”Importantly, there is also a need for appropriate and suitable legislations for Guyana that are in-keeping with international best practice with clauses that suit the uniqueness of Guyana.“Most of the standards applied by the regulatory agencies emanate from international standardising bodies. These standards are not incorporated into the necessary legislation and regulations and as a result are difficult to enforce.”According to PSC, many local companies’ complain about the manner in which standards are imposed upon them and about the ambiguities in the laws especially those that are related to food products and which regulatory agencies should enforce them.“The private sector is concerned with the issue of sanitary and phytosanitary standards as it relates to both the import and export markets. From an import perspective, the issue is raised regarding the lack of enforcement of standards which leads to unfair competition for local goods.Conversely, on the export side, some exporters complained that their goods are removed from the shelves in other countries due to their failure to conform to the standards of the importing country and the difference in standards between the countries.”At present, there are several agencies in Guyana responsible for the application of sanitary and phytosanitary standards to enforce food safety and animal and plant health. These include the Ministry of Agriculture,Wholesale Cheap Jerseys China, the Food and Drugs Department of the Ministry of Health, the Veterinary Public Health Unit of the Ministry of Health and the Guyana National Bureau of Standards.“There is scope for effective and improved sanitary and phytosanitary standards in Guyana. This lies with the Agricultural Export Diversification Programme (ADP) which is supported by funding from the IDB and aims to increase the growth rate of Guyana’s exports and promote the diversification of its agricultural exports.“Under the ADP,Cheap NFL Jerseys Authentic, there will be a revamping of all legislation which govern animal and plant health as well as food safety to incorporate all international sanitary and phytosanitary standards.”The programme will also provide funding for the upgrade and setting up of all laboratories which are necessary for testing of animal and plant products. Among other initiatives,Cheap Jerseys Wholesale, the programme will also provide for the modernisation of the local abattoirs which is geared at improving hygienic processing of animals in the food chain.“While these agencies address various issues, there is a great need for the private sector to be involved to ensure that the needs of the private sector are met.”PSC said that it will be working in collaboration with the relevant agencies through the National Competitiveness Strategy Unit in planning a workshop with all stakeholders.“This workshop will address the issue of sanitary and phytosanitary standards and certification; it will garner feedback from the private sector and address the issues from public sector enforcing bodies.” According to PSC, information on this workshop will be made available to the private sector soon. |
