Prime Minister Dr. Keith Rowley hosted today’s Post Cabinet Media Briefing to give an update on matters coming out of the Caricom Heads of Government Meeting which was held in Suriname this week. Among the major points are:
- Crime being a public health issue in many territories. The Prime Minister said Caricom Heads are of the view that there must be focus on this public health issue where so many lives are lost. He said crime will have to be addressed differently and to this end, a meeting will be held to produce some new approaches to dealing with violence in society.
- The signing off of the St. Ann’s Accord where Caricom Heads agreed to implement required components towards a Single Market and Economy. It was noted that farm and domestic workers are needed in some Caricom countries, yet they are unable to move within the territory for jobs. The Heads have now agreed to use the ILO definition of a farm worker which should remove this “impediment.”
- Steps have been taken to remove non-tariff barriers while being careful not to encourage the deleterious aspects of materials (sanitary conditions, only healthy animals and plants are moved etc.).
- T&T to host Phase 2 of discussions on food security with Guyana. Talks will focus on agro-investment as well as having adequate supplies of corn, rice, fresh fruits and vegetables. Talks with Brazil will also commence on the supply of meat.
- Caricom has set itself a target to increase its food supply by 25%. Land space available in Guyana, Belize and the state of Roraima will be used. The Heads of Caricom felt the current circumstances in the world (high food prices, Ukraine and Russia war) warranted this target.
On the home front, Prime Minister Rowley said as a matter of National Security, he has asked the Attorney General to explore whether Government can prevent the marketing of used metals in Trinidad and Tobago for a restricted time, as he noted that the scrap iron industry is now affecting citizens as these dealers are cutting electricity cables and water lines. He said T&T does not produce metal but imports it for a particular use, yet it is being stolen and traded.