Samuda announces changes to importation of refined sugar
KINGSTON, Jamaica — Agriculture Minister, Karl Samuda has announced changes to the regime for the importation of refined sugar for the retail trade.
Samuda made the announcement this afternoon at a press conference at the ministry’s St Lucia Avenue offices in New Kingston.
This, he said, is in an effort to stop the leakage of refined sugar, imported by manufacturers duty free as a raw material for manufactured products, from entering the retail trade.
According to Samuda, the granting of permits by the Sugar Industry Authority to import refined sugar for the retail trade will be restricted to approved marketing agents or other entities as designated by the minister.
He also noted that all sugar sold in the retail trade must be packaged in keeping with the recently enacted sugar standards.
“Any entity found selling refined sugar in the retail trade which is not packaged in accordance with these standards will be found in breach and enforcement measures will be applied under the SIA Control Act,” said Samuda.
Penalties include the seizure of goods and fines of up to $3 million.
