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