Most of the country's
trade in scrap metal has been suspended yet again.
Industry Minister Karl Samuda announced Monday that as of Wednesday, April 28, the export of all scrap metal will be prohibited, except for manufacturing companies which produce their own material for export.
The last time a ban was placed on the trade was in 2008.
Monday's decision follows several recent incidents in which substantial pieces from major installations were stolen by persons believed to be involved in the scrap metal trade.
The Industry Minister, who was announcing the policy change at a press conference in Kingston, said Sunday's theft of stands at the G.C Foster College in St. Catherine was the final straw.
Eleven pieces of metal seating were removed by scrap metal thieves at the college in Spanish Town, costing the institution $1 million. Under the new guidelines manufacturers who produce their own scrap metals will have to submit evidence to the Customs Department to verify that they did not purchase these items.
Copper export also banned
Effective Monday, April 26, there will also be no export of copper.
This was a particularly sore point for Mr. Samuda as he showed reporters the remnants of a cable hosing which was once contained copper wires, stolen from the Colbeck pumping station in St. Catherine last week.
The new regulation states that no metal that is smelted prior to being packed will be permitted for export; it must be in its original state.
Mr. Samuda also stressed that containers which are on the port prior to Wednesday will be exported.
Other containers which have already been packed and sealed but are not at the port will be unpacked and inspected by a special team.
If they meet the requirements they will be re-packed and exported.
Changes to scarp metal business
Mr. Samuda, who met with members of the scrap metal trade prior to hosting his press conference, said he explained to the dealers that decisive measures had to be taken.
"What I said to the scrap metal dealers today is that the trade is sick and needs to be stabilised and that's what we're going to do in this ministry. We cannot continue business as usual ... there has to be some dramatic changes in how we do business in this particular trade," he said.
The dealers who left as RJR News arrived for the press conference were seemingly upset by their meeting with the Industry Minister and refused to speak to the media.
The Industry Minister said he will provide a more detailed report when he makes his contribution to the Sectoral Debate in Parliament next Tuesday.
Scrap metal dealership plans halted
In the meantime, the Industry Minister added that the government's plans to establish a central sorting facility for the scrap metal trade at the Riverton Landfill have hit a snag.
The sellers of scrap metal would have been required to funnel their metal through the facility to determine if it was legitimately acquired.
However, Mr. Samuda said concerns have been raised about the environmental effects of such a move.
"We are having difficulties in finalising the site because there are objections from NEPA (National Environmental and Planning Agency) and so we have to ensure that wherever we decide to locate the industry for that purpose is environmentally acceptable. We're not only limited to one site, we're going to explore all the possibilities available to us this week and by the time I speak on Tuesday, we'll be in a position to outline clearly what measures are going to be used in conducting the export of scrap metal in the country," he said.
Twenty million dollars has been set aside in this year's budget for the building of the sorting facility.
Industry Minister Karl Samuda announced Monday that as of Wednesday, April 28, the export of all scrap metal will be prohibited, except for manufacturing companies which produce their own material for export.
The last time a ban was placed on the trade was in 2008.
Monday's decision follows several recent incidents in which substantial pieces from major installations were stolen by persons believed to be involved in the scrap metal trade.
The Industry Minister, who was announcing the policy change at a press conference in Kingston, said Sunday's theft of stands at the G.C Foster College in St. Catherine was the final straw.
Eleven pieces of metal seating were removed by scrap metal thieves at the college in Spanish Town, costing the institution $1 million. Under the new guidelines manufacturers who produce their own scrap metals will have to submit evidence to the Customs Department to verify that they did not purchase these items.
Copper export also banned
Effective Monday, April 26, there will also be no export of copper.
This was a particularly sore point for Mr. Samuda as he showed reporters the remnants of a cable hosing which was once contained copper wires, stolen from the Colbeck pumping station in St. Catherine last week.
The new regulation states that no metal that is smelted prior to being packed will be permitted for export; it must be in its original state.
Mr. Samuda also stressed that containers which are on the port prior to Wednesday will be exported.
Other containers which have already been packed and sealed but are not at the port will be unpacked and inspected by a special team.
If they meet the requirements they will be re-packed and exported.
Changes to scarp metal business
Mr. Samuda, who met with members of the scrap metal trade prior to hosting his press conference, said he explained to the dealers that decisive measures had to be taken.
"What I said to the scrap metal dealers today is that the trade is sick and needs to be stabilised and that's what we're going to do in this ministry. We cannot continue business as usual ... there has to be some dramatic changes in how we do business in this particular trade," he said.
The dealers who left as RJR News arrived for the press conference were seemingly upset by their meeting with the Industry Minister and refused to speak to the media.
The Industry Minister said he will provide a more detailed report when he makes his contribution to the Sectoral Debate in Parliament next Tuesday.
Scrap metal dealership plans halted
In the meantime, the Industry Minister added that the government's plans to establish a central sorting facility for the scrap metal trade at the Riverton Landfill have hit a snag.
The sellers of scrap metal would have been required to funnel their metal through the facility to determine if it was legitimately acquired.
However, Mr. Samuda said concerns have been raised about the environmental effects of such a move.
"We are having difficulties in finalising the site because there are objections from NEPA (National Environmental and Planning Agency) and so we have to ensure that wherever we decide to locate the industry for that purpose is environmentally acceptable. We're not only limited to one site, we're going to explore all the possibilities available to us this week and by the time I speak on Tuesday, we'll be in a position to outline clearly what measures are going to be used in conducting the export of scrap metal in the country," he said.
Twenty million dollars has been set aside in this year's budget for the building of the sorting facility.
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