St. George’s, GRENADA — On February 9, 2017, two (2) exporters of fresh produce received interim licences, allowing them to export fresh produce before obtaining their official Exportation of Fresh Produce Licence. The exporters are Walter Charles and Big Mac Enterprises operating at Soubise, St. Andrew’s and Calliste, St. George’s, respectively.
The Exportation of Fresh Produce Act was relaunched on October 6, 2016 with a consultation between the Grenada Bureau of Standards (GDBS) and the exporters of fresh produce (vegetables, fruits, nuts, ground provisions, root crops, flowers and other plant materials). Since then, nine (9) exporters have applied to the Grenada Bureau of Standards for the said licence, which allows exportation to regional and/or international markets.
The interim licence allows the exporters six (6) months from date of issuance to meet all requirements as outlined in the relevant standard and the Exportation of Fresh Produce Act. No. 28 of 1998. Full compliance to the Act will result in the issuance of an Exportation of Fresh Produce Licence, which will be valid for one year from the date of issue. An interim licence suggests that the exporter has met the main requirements of good management and agricultural practices and that the packing houses with which they are affiliated provides a safe environment to facilitate the processes involved in this trade.
From June 2017, exporters without an interim or official Exportation of Fresh Produce Licence will not be allowed to carry out such activity. All exporters of fresh produce (vegetables, fruits, nuts, ground provisions, root crops, flowers and other plant materials), who have not applied to the Grenada Bureau of Standards, are kindly asked to make contact as soon as is possible, to avoid the impending disruption to trade that will result.
The Grenada Bureau of Standards will be working closely with the Royal Grenada Police Force and the Customs Department to ensure that this Act is strictly adhered to.
Contacts:
Mr. Leonard St. Bernard
Head: Laboratory Services
Mrs. Kyla John-Walker
Technical Officer: Certification
Grenada Bureau of Standards
Tel: (473) 440 – 5886/6783
