Trade Agreements

between Guyana and

Trinidad & Tobago
+592-226-1606/7/8
minfor@guyana.net.gy

SUMMARY OF BILATERAL TALKS BETWEEN

GUYANA AND TRINIDAD ON AGRICULTURAL
TRADE
MEETING OF SENIOR OFFICIALS/ TECHNICAL EXPERTS TO DISCUSS ISSUES RELATED TO THE
EXPORT OF AGRICULTURAL PRODUCE FROM GUYANA TO TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO

SEPTEMBER 13, 2019

TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO

Summary of Decisions and Follow-up Actions

The senior officials of Guyana and Trinidad and Tobago having met to discuss market access
challenges related to the export of food and agricultural produce from Guyana to Trinidad and
Tobago having

Reinforced the importance of bilateral trade in agricultural products to the two countries, and

Noted the challenges that could emerge due to poor communication, and

Reaffirmed their willingness to undertake dialogue on market access challenges with a view towards
reaching an amicable solution.

have made the following decisions

1.  REMOVAL OF CROWNS FROM PINEAPPLES

1. It was agreed that changes to Import Permit requirements for all crops should be

communicated by Trinidad and Tobago in a timely manner in keeping with International

Standards.
 2. Guyana to provide measure of equivalence and process flow (within 1 week) and Trinidad

will reconsider the removal of the crowns of pineapples in line with Codex Standard for

Pineapple 182-1993 (Rev. 1-1999) which allows for either removal or non-removal of crowns

and given Guyana’s concern with microbial decay and faster product deterioration

associated with crown removal.

3. The Channel of communication will occur through the IPPC contact points; NAREI for

Guyana (Mr. Brian Sears) and for Trinidad, Ms. Diane Ramroop and copied to PS. Sukhdeo.

Ms. Ramroop will provide an acknowledgment of receipt within 1 week and following review

of Guyana’s measure of equivalence and process flow, Trinidad will provide a technical

response not exceeding 3 months. This will be the channel of communication for all matters
related to PRAs.

 
2. DE-STEMMING OF PEPPERS

1. The same was agreed in principle as with pineapples.

 
3. FUMIGATION REQUIREMENTS

1. Guyana to send Diplomatic Note (within 1 week) requesting written confirmation from the

Ministry of Agriculture, Land and Fisheries of Trinidad and Tobago indicating that methyl
bromide is not required for QPS on crops exported from Guyana, by September 27, 2019 and

that an alternative, Epoclorous, has been identified.

 
4. THE APPLICATION OF HYPOCHLOROUS ACID ON
EDDOES

1. Trinidad and Tobago will review Guyana’s PRA for Eddoes and will provide communication

on the rationale for the modalities for use of hypochlorous acid on eddoes, by September 27,

2019
 2. Guyana to submit measures of equivalence and process flow (within 1 week) and Trinidad

will reconsider the method of treatment.

3. The Channel of communication will occur through the IPPC contact points; NAREI for

Guyana (Mr. Brian Sears) and for Trinidad, Ms. Diane Ramroop and copied to PS. Sukhdeo.

Ms. Ramroop will provide an acknowledgment of receipt within 1 week and following review

of Guyana’s measure of equivalence and process flow, Trinidad will provide a technical

response not exceeding 3 months. This will be the channel of communication for all matters

related to PRAs.

 
5. TRANS-SHIPMENT OF HONEY

1. Trinidad and Tobago reiterated the seriousness of this issue and indicated that the shipment

of Honey has attracted the attention of the Honourable Prime Minister, the Cabinet and the

Foreign Affairs Committee of the Parliament, all of which are active deliberations, within an

update to be provided at the next meeting of the Council for Trade and Economic

Development (COTED), scheduled for November 2019.

 
6. DENIAL OF IMPORTATION OF ITEMS ALREADY
APPROVED FOR IMPORTATION

1. Guyana to submit to the Ministry of Agriculture, Land and Fisheries of Trinidad and Tobago,

examples of cases of denials of entry at the border on grounds related to inconsistent

interpretation of import permits.

2. Trinidad to make cases known to its Trade Facilitation Committee and address issues

related to standard operating procedures (SOP), system of communication with customs

authorities, validation of Permits issues and redress for denials.

 
7. TRADE IN EQUINE

1. Guyana to send to Trinidad, a copy of the Agreement via Diplomatic Note within 1 week.
 2. Guyana to forward communication to the PS of the Ministry of Agriculture, Land and

Fisheries of Trinidad and Tobago, and seek clarification on reasons for delays (3 months) in

shipment of equine, which resulted in excessive storage costs for the exporter.

 
8. BAN ON IMPORTATION OF POULTRY MEAT FROM
GUYANA

1. Trinidad committed to raising this matter with its CVO Dr. Kangaloo so that the Livestock

Authorities (OIE contact points) of the two countries could engage in bilateral discussions on

the way forward.

2. Diplomatic Notes to be produced to the effect outlined in number 1 above.

3. Upon request through Diplomatic Note from Guyana, Trinidad to provide clarification on the

its Status with Duck Hepatitis and other Poultry Related Diseases such as IBV- Infectious

Bronchitis Virus, NDV-Newcastle Disease Virus, APV-Avian Pneumovirus, IBDV-Infectious

Bursal Disease Virus, FADV-Fowl Adenovirus Gp1 and EDSV-Egg Drop Syndrome Virus and

ILTV- Infectious Laryngotracheitis Virus in Tobago.

 
9. THE REQUIREMENT FOR CERTIFIED FARMING
AREAS AND FARMS TO PROVIDE A FOOD AND DRUG
CERTIFICATE (AND NOT PHYTO-SANITARY AND
HEALTH CERTIFICATES)

1. The same was agreed in principle as at number 6.

 
10. FORMALIZATION OF RESPONSES TO MARKET
ACCESS DOSSIERS SUBMITTED

1. Trinidad and Tobago to provide confirmation on the status of Guyana’s request submitted

since November 2018, by September 27, 2019.

 2. The Channel of communication will occur through the IPPC contact points; NAREI for

Guyana (Mr. Brian Sears) and for Trinidad, Ms. Diane Ramroop and copied to PS. Sukhdeo.

Ms. Ramroop will provide an acknowledgment of receipt within 1 week and following review

of Guyana’s measure of equivalence and process flow, Trinidad will provide a technical

response not exceeding 3 months. This will be the channel of communication for all matters

related to PRAs.
 
11. THE REVISION OF THE TRINIDAD AND
TOBAGO/GUYANA FRESH AGRICULTURAL PRODUCE
AND FOREST PRODUCTS TRADE PROTOCOL OF 2009

1. Guyana to submit Diplomatic Note (within 1 week) indicating proposed changes to

Agreement.

2. Trinidad to provide its comments on the proposed revisions for the Trinidad and

Tobago/Guyana Fresh Agricultural Produce and Forest Trade Protocol following

consultations with respective line Ministries.