By Francine Black, Staff ReporterTHE SPECIFICS of the new environmental tax announced six months ago are still being ironed out. Ministry of Finance spokesman Cordell Braham says it is possible that the levy's implementation would not happen before next year.
The levy which should have taken effect May 1 was proposed by the Finance Ministry as a new revenue source to assist with the disposal of plastics, which make up over 12 per cent of Jamaica's waste. Government had projected that it would raise $190 million for the treasury in the process. Mr. Braham said Finance was still awaiting the recommendations of the Ministry of Land and Environment, after which the details would have to be considered by Cabinet.
As part of the process of getting the tax to implementation stage, Land and Environment was asked for their recommendations. The latter ministry in turn held consultations with the Business Council for the Environment.
The group, which represented the Private Sector Organisation of Jamaica in the consultations, has already submitted its proposals on the tax to the Land and Environment Ministry. The proposal outlined the manner in which the tax should be implemented and what it should be imposed upon, said Vivian Gray, who spoke for the group.
He said the suggestions were found acceptable by the ministry.
The environmental levy was proposed by Finance Minister Dr. Omar Davies in his 2003/04 Budget presentation in April.
The Minister proposes to collect $2 per kilogram on containers which are imported, manufactured and distributed in Jamaica.
According to Mr. Braham, only if something happens which requires that the process be speeded up will the levy be given precedence and quickly dealt with. Otherwise it will continue to progress at the current pace through the required stages.
