Secretariat TPR |
WT/TPR/S/308 |
S-II§55 |
Barbados |
2014 |
Trade Policy Framework |
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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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Secretariat TPR |
WT/TPR/S/308 |
S-III§59 |
Barbados |
2014 |
Trade Policy Framework |
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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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Conservation
Environment
Bio
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Secretariat TPR |
WT/TPR/S/308 |
S-III§138 |
Barbados |
2014 |
Trade Policy Framework |
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As part of its enforcement mandate, the FTC (Fair Trading Commission) has been granted ample investigative powers, including those of self-initiating an investigation, and may declare certain business activities as illegal. During 2008-14, the FTC conducted 78 inquiries and investigations of anti-competitive conduct. (…) The investigations conducted by the FTC during that period were related to telecommunications, distribution, mining/quarrying, and waste processing/treatment, among others (Table 3.10). The practices investigated included: excessive pricing (1); predatory pricing (1); refusal to supply (2); and price squeezing (1); and other anti-competitive conduct (3).
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Secretariat TPR |
WT/TPR/S/308 |
S-Table-III.10 |
Barbados |
2014 |
Trade Policy Framework |
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Table 3.10 Main Competition Policy Cases Rulings by the FTC, 2008-14
Exclusionary Conduct (Diceabed Barbados Ltd vs Sustainable Barbados Recycling Centre)
Case/allegation: Diceabed Barbados Ltd. made a complaint to the FTC that the Government of Barbados (GoB) paid the Sustainable Barbados Recycling Centre (SBRC) a Consolidated Tipping Fee (CTF) of BDS$60 per tonne on recycled materials, but not to other companies who recycle. It was argued that the policy is unfair and may have harmful effects on competition.
Initiation: June 2013
Ruling: The FTC established that the payment of a CTF to SBRC was unlikely to cause competitive concerns in the relevant market. This was due to the contractual relationship between SBRC and the GoB, established by an international tender, the stringent environmental and health standards required and the contractual obligation on the part of SBRC to accept all municipal waste. As such, the FTC determined that there was no credible justification for Diceabed’s entitlement to a CTF or equivalent.
Termination: February 2014
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Sustainable
Recycle
Environment
Waste
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Secretariat TPR |
WT/TPR/S/308 |
S-IV§7 |
Barbados |
2014 |
Sectors |
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Agriculture |
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The Ministry of Agriculture, Food, Fisheries and Water Resource Management is responsible for agricultural policy in Barbados. There is currently no general legislation governing the sector as a whole, however, at the time of the last review, the authorities indicated that the first draft of a Sustainable Agricultural Development Bill was to be considered in June 2008. In the context of the current review the authorities indicated that the Bill has since stalled.
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Secretariat TPR |
WT/TPR/S/308 |
S-IV§24 |
Barbados |
2014 |
Sectors |
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Fisheries |
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Under the provisions of the Fisheries Act (Cap. 391 section 4), the Fisheries Division of the Ministry of Agriculture has the legal authority for management and development of fisheries in Barbados and for the administration of the Fisheries Act. The Fisheries Division is also responsible for: performing research and data collection for assessing the state of the various fisheries and suggesting conservation and development methods; the registration of fishermen and vessels; inspecting fishing vessels in accordance with local and international standards; and providing haul up and launch services for local fishing vessels. For the latter a fee is charged. According to the authorities, the fee structure for all services is under review.
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Secretariat TPR |
WT/TPR/S/308 |
S-IV§25 |
Barbados |
2014 |
Sectors |
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Fisheries |
Relevant information
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The Fisheries Act provides the legal authority for the Fisheries Management Plan (FMP) in terms of “schemes for the management and development of fisheries in the waters of Barbados. The FMP forms the basis for fisheries policy, management (both conservation and development), administration and the formulation or implementation of fisheries-related legislation. The Fisheries (Management) Regulations (1998) contain technical requirements and regulate the fisheries of certain species.
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Fish
Conservation
Wildlife
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Secretariat TPR |
WT/TPR/S/308 |
S-IV§26 |
Barbados |
2014 |
Sectors |
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Fisheries |
Relevant information
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Local fisheries are currently open-access to nationals with Barbadian citizens having access to the resources. The authorities consider it imperative that effective management measures be put in place to prevent overexploitation of fisheries resources, to allow rebuilding those species that are depleted and to ensure resource sustainability for present and future generations of Barbadians. To this end, the authorities put in place an FMP (Fisheries Management Plan), which was in operation between 2004 and 2006. The FMP contained information on the status of the local fishing industry and the planning processes used to develop the plan. It outlined strategies for the development and management of the fishing industry to ensure its sustainable contribution to the nutritional, economic and social well-being of Barbadians. The authorities are currently implementing fishery management plans for three fisheries: large pelagics, eastern Caribbean flying fish and sea urchins.
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Keywords
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Fish
Sustainable
Wildlife
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Secretariat TPR |
WT/TPR/S/308 |
S-IV§27 |
Barbados |
2014 |
Sectors |
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Fisheries |
Relevant information
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The authorities are cognizant of the challenges facing the fisheries sector. These include: overfishing, pollution, degradation of habitat and impact of climate change. (…)
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Secretariat TPR |
WT/TPR/S/292/REV.2 |
S-III§54 |
Malaysia |
2014 |
Trade Policy Framework |
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Malaysia's 2007 Biosafety Act entered into force on 1 December 2009, upon expiry of a grace period of two years. This enabled the stakeholders to understand its requirements by, inter alia, carrying out capacity-building activities. It requires the National Biosafety Board (NBB) to evaluate and approve living modified organisms (LMOs) before release onto the market for food, feed, or processing. This applies to any genetically modified organisms (GMOs) that may be found in corn and soybeans imports. A Genetic Modification Advisory Committee (GMAC) provides expert advice to the NBB on application. (…) No genetically modified seed for planting is approved for import or for confined trials. Biotechnology related activities benefit from tax and non-tax incentives (sections 3.4.1.3 and 3.4.2.1.1).
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