(Jamaica Gleaner) The Ministry of Industry, Investment and Commerce is looking at funding arrangements for local exporters, who are now rushing to meet new certification requirements for export to the United States.
Local food processors will be required next year, to have their products tested and passed by an accredited laboratory under the updated US Food Safety Modernization Act.
Commerce minister, Dr. Christopher Tufton, said checks with the Jamaica Exporters Association revealed that less than 20 per cent of its membership who export food-related items to the US are certified.
Tufton noted that a number of Jamaican exporters could lose out on accessing the US market if the Obama Administration decides to strictly enforce the new certification standards.
While he acknowledged that exporters can go through the National Certification Body of Jamaica, he said it will be costly to implement the new regulations, especially for small businesses.
Tufton said the Government will move to see what assistance it can provide to help exporters meet the new regulations.
He said he has asked the Bureau of Standards to fast track the certification process as well as to develop an awareness campaign.
