Secretariat TPR |
WT/TPR/S/308 |
S-II§26 |
Barbados |
2014 |
Trade Policy Framework |
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Relevant information
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The EPA (CARIFORUM-EU Economic Partnership Agreement) replaced the expired preferences under the ACP-EU Cotonou Agreement. The nature of the EPA, which is based on the principle of asymmetric reciprocity, is different from the Cotonou Agreement's which was unilateral. The asymmetry in the granting of preferences is reflected in market access for goods and services, the MFN provisions, trade defence measures, and development cooperation. The Agreement also covers trade in services, public procurement, intellectual property rights and environmental protection. The EPA encourages deeper integration among CARIFORUM States and introduces a regional preference principle by which any more favourable treatment or advantage offered by any CARIFORUM State to the EU must be granted to each CARIFORUM State.
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Secretariat TPR |
WT/TPR/S/308 |
S-II§55 |
Barbados |
2014 |
Trade Policy Framework |
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Relevant information
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A reciprocal Canada-CARICOM Trade Agreement set to replace the unilateral preferences granted under CARIBCAN is currently being negotiating. Negotiations started in 2009 and Canada and CARICOM have held seven rounds of negotiations to date (the last was in June 2014). Talks have covered market access in goods, trade defence and safeguards measures, rules of origin, trade facilitation, customs procedures, government procurement, technical barriers to trade, sanitary and phytosanitary measures, services, labour, and environment. Both parties agreed that with respect to market access, the chapter on financial services should go beyond Canada's and CARICOM's respective GATS commitments.
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Keywords
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Secretariat TPR |
WT/TPR/S/308 |
S-III§26 |
Barbados |
2014 |
Measures |
Other price and market based measures |
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Relevant information
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In 2010, Barbados eliminated an environmental levy applied at a general rate of 1.5%, with exceptions, on the c.i.f. value of imported goods. This tax was not applied to domestically produced goods, and hence was considered discriminatory.
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Secretariat TPR |
WT/TPR/S/308 |
S-III§78 |
Barbados |
2014 |
Measures |
Ban/Prohibition, Not specified |
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Relevant information
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Barbados applies restrictions on the exportation of certain products, which are included in the List of Prohibited and Restricted Exports, of the Customs Act, as amended by the Customs (List of Prohibited and Restricted Imports and Exports) Order, 2009 (S.I. 2009 No. 127) and the Customs (List of Prohibited and Restricted Imports and Exports) (Amendment) Order, 2010, (S.I. 2010 No. 114). Goods listed in part I of the Second Schedule of the Act are prohibited exports. They include substances or chemicals listed under HS heading Ex 29.03, namely halons, and other ozone-depleting substances. Goods listed in part II of the Second Schedule are restricted exports, they included other ozone-depleting substances under HS heading Ex 29.03, as well as substances or chemicals under tariff heading Ex 38.24, mainly refrigerant blends capable of depleting the ozone layer.
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Keywords
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Secretariat TPR |
WT/TPR/S/308 |
S-Table-III.6 |
Barbados |
2014 |
Measures |
Ban/Prohibition, Not specified |
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Relevant information
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Table 3.6 Prohibited and restricted imports under the Customs (List of Prohibited and Restricted Imports and Exports) Order, 2009
Prohibited imports
Ozone-depleting substances (HS Ex 29.03)
Restricted imports
Ozone-depleting substances (HS Ex 29.03)
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Keywords
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Secretariat TPR |
WT/TPR/S/308 |
S-III§29 |
Barbados |
2014 |
Measures |
Import licences |
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Relevant information
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Barbados has provided replies to the WTO questionnaire on import licensing procedures. The authorities note that the import licensing system is applied for monitoring, security, health, and environmental purposes as well as protection of public morals, and that there are no quantitative restrictions. (…)
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Keywords
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Government TPR |
WT/TPR/G/308 |
G-V§4 |
Barbados |
2014 |
Measures |
Import licences |
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Relevant information
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It should be further noted that the import licensing system is applied for monitoring, security, health and environmental purposes as well as protection of public morals. No quantitative restrictions are employed.
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Keywords
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Secretariat TPR |
WT/TPR/S/308 |
S-III§52 |
Barbados |
2014 |
Measures |
Technical regulation or specifications |
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Relevant information
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As at November 2014, a total of 44 technical regulations were in force in Barbados. They relate to health, public safety, food, labelling and environmental protection. There are 151 BNSI Specifications and 21 BNSI Codes of Practice. This information was previously available online at the BNSI website, but as at October 2014, the website had been under maintenance for several months.
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Keywords
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Secretariat TPR |
WT/TPR/S/308 |
S-III§59 |
Barbados |
2014 |
Trade Policy Framework |
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Relevant information
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The Plant Protection Section, which is the National Plant Protection Organization (NPPO) of Barbados, encompasses Entomology, Plant Pathology, Pesticide Control Board, and the Plant Quarantine Unit. Its functions are to protect, and where possible, enhance the agricultural crop resources of the island through the provision of research, developmental, regulatory and extension services in the area of pest and disease management as well as to assist in the implementation of the National Strategic Plan of Barbados 2006-25. The Plan emphasizes certain priority crops: cotton, sugar, hot pepper, herbs and spices, sweet potatoes, yams and onions. The mandate of Plant Protection is the phytosanitary security and conservation of Barbados’ agricultural plant biodiversity through the identification of plant pests and diseases and the provision of environmentally sound control practices. The authorities have noted that this mandate must be fulfilled whilst satisfying domestic, regional (CARICOM), hemispheric (EU-CARIFORUM EPA) and international (WTO/SPS) standards. Plant Protection is also involved in ensuring food security, and in guaranteeing that good agricultural practices and food safety (HACCP policy) policies are adhered to. Plant Protection has set as its goals: the preparation of a country pest list, conducting pest risk analyses and surveillance for economically important pests and diseases; promoting integrated pest management; ensuring availability of safe and quality pesticides for protecting crop production from the ravages of pests and diseases; and testing bio-pesticides and other chemicals generally regarded as safe (GRAS).
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Keywords
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Conservation
Environment
Bio
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Secretariat TPR |
WT/TPR/S/308 |
S-III§132 |
Barbados |
2014 |
Measures |
Tax concessions |
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Relevant information
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Under the Environmental Policy Initiatives manufacturing firms are entitled to a 150% tax rebate on attainment of recognized environmental certification such as ISO 14000, the Green Globe Programme or the Leadership in Environmental and Energy Design (LEED) certification.
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