Antigua and Barbuda, SVG resolve flour dispute

ROSEAU, Dominica – June 17 – Antigua and Barbuda, St. Vincent and the Grenadines and Grenada have agreed in principle on an agreement that resolves a flour dispute between the countries.

Recently, St. Vincent and the Grenadines accused Antigua and Barbuda of going against articles 56 and 164 of CARICOM by importing flour from outside of the OECS; namely from Trinidad and Tobago.{{more}}

Prime Minister Spencer outlined that while Antigua and Barbuda agrees that it had violated the articles of CARICOM, the point must be made that flour is being sourced from outside of the OECS at a much cheaper rate to that which is bought from St.Vincent and the Grenadines and Grenada.

The agreement bringing an end to the dispute which will be signed next week, stipulates that Antigua and Barbuda will restrict to five percent, the volume of extra-OECS flour by the imposition of a monthly quota, and the application of the CET on all the said quota amounts imported from extra-OECS countries.

The government also commits that in the event of future queries regarding the levels

of imports from extra-OECS sources, that information regarding the issuance of licenses will be provided to the Governments of St. Vincent and the Grenadines and Grenada within five working days of receiving the request for the information from the said two governments.

The Governments of St. Vincent and the Grenadines and Grenada, also undertake to encourage their respective millers, to explore all options for affording Antigua and Barbuda importers more favourable prices.

All three governments agree to maintain the matter under periodic review.