Statement from Demerara Distillers Limited

GEORGETOWN GUYANA, MAY 14, 2024: Demerara Distillers Limited (DDL) is ineluctably constrained to draw to the attention of the authorities here in Guyana a recent development regarding the export to Trinidad and Tobago of a quantity of its packaged milk and bottled flavoured water. This development is of grave concern to DDL since it inhibits its ongoing efforts to meaningfully contribute to the food security efforts of the CARICOM region.

DDL exported to Trinidad and Tobago during the month of March, four 20ft shipping containers of these products based on an evaluation of the Trinidad Market by a Trinidadian business enterprise, which determined a desire for these products by the Trinidadian consumers. Regrettably the two containers of packaged milk products were denied entry and returned to Guyana, while the bottled water products have been restricted from sale pending the completion of an unconventionally exhaustive examination of these bottled water products.

On May thirteenth (May 13th) DDL engaged with a team from the Ministry of Trade of Trinidad and Tobago to discuss the rejection of our milk exports. We were advised of an extremely onerous and stringent process for the importation of Animal and Animal based products based on provisions of Trinidad and Tobago’s Animal Disease and Importation Act 2020. DDL find these requirements contrary to the spirit of intra-regional trade especially since we are reliably informed that Guyana has no such reciprocal requirements for the importation of similar products from Trinidad and Tobago. DDL therefore requests that the Government of Guyana take note of these developments and seek to ensure that there is balance and equity in our trade relations with Trinidad and Tobago.