GUYANA GREEN CUSTOMS INITIATIVE

BYDAVID HERMONSTINE

GUYANA IS COMMITTED TO THE ENFORCEMENT OF TRADE RELATED MULTILATERAL ENVIRONMENTAL

AGREEMENTS (MEAs) IN PARTICULAR

• Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movement of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal

• Cartegena Protocol on Biosafety

• Conventionon International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES)

• Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer

• Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent Procedure for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade

• Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants

Role of Customs Officers

• Ensure Compliance with the MEAs• Verify completeness of documentation• Ensure all licensing authorities issue the

relevant licences (import/export) for shipments• Comply with Standing Operating

Procedures (SOP) for examination of cargo• Work along with all the regulatory

authorities to enforce regulations.

Role of Customs Officers• Verify consistency of documentation

• Verify Classification codes of commodities

• Verify the nature and quantity of the shipment

• Ensure that all Safety Standards are maintained

• Physical Examination of goods must be conducted according to ISO Standards

• Goods can only be released when all the requirements are fulfilled

• The role of a Customs Officer is not only to collect revenue but also and most important, is to preserve the environment by preventing illegal substances from entering the society

• Contact r Competent Authority in case of suspicion

Agencies Interaction and Cooperation

• The Ministry of Trade and Tourism• The Ministry of Foreign Trade• The Ministry of Agriculture• Environmental Protection Agency • Guyana Wild Life Management Authority• Guyana Wildlife Scientific Authority• National Biodiversity Committee• Pesticide & Toxic Chemicals Control Board

Customs Officers Training

• The (GCI) is to be included in the training Curriculum of the Customs and Trade Authority

• Regular Training Seminars are held with the regulatory Authorities

• Practical demonstration and On the Job Training (OJT) are held to emphasize importance

• Sharing of information with the regulatory authorities.

Training with key Stakeholders (National committee on Conformity assessment)

• Guyana National Bureau of Standards• Institute of Applied Science and Technology• Environmental Protection Agency• Pesticides and Toxic Chemicals Control Board• Guyana Forestry Commission• Guyana Manufacturing and Services Association• Government Analysis/Food and Drug Department

The Customs Officer Objective

• Detect and prevent Illegal Trade in Environmentally-Sensitive commodity

• Coordinate with other National Regulatory Authorities to combat illegal Trade

• Better Recognition of the role of Customs in Environmental Protection

• Increase awareness and utilize assistance provided by national and international agencies

THANK YOU.

E-mail: dadastine07@hotmail.com