PM: Fuel rebate subsidy for fishermen under review

COUVA North MP Ravi Ratiram is demanding a review of what he called the outdated fuel rebate subsidy for fisherfolk.

Ratiram said under the present subsidy arrangement, owners of fishing vessels receive 12 cents per litre for gasoline, ten cents per litre for diesel and 75 cents per litre, for oil which is archaic and outdated.

During questions to the Prime Minister in Parliament on June 3, Ratiram called on Dr Rowley to state what steps have been made to review and update the fuel rebate programme for fisherfolk.

Rowley said if he had his way he would give $25, but there is a process and that is not how it works.

The Prime Minister said he had been advised that there are plans to update the current fuel rebate programme, which was implemented under the Fishing Industries Assistance Act of 1995.

“At this time, there are plans to update this progamme, once the new fisheries management legislation is enacted and the World Trade Organisation (WTO) fisheries subsidiary negotiations are concluded. He said the Ministry of Agriculture, Land and Fisheries (MALF) remains an active participant in the ongoing negotiations led by WTO and is hoping for a positive outcome.

In a supplemental question, Rairam asked the PM if, given the fisheries legislation has lapsed and there is no fisheries management bill before the Parliament, he could advise how soon such a bill would be laid.

Ratiram continued his argument about the insufficiency of the rebate, to which the PM asserted that at the time this figure was put in place it was deemed to be a reasonable subsidiary, but it is subject to review.

Ratiram recalled that this was a promise the government made in the 2022 budget and enquired what policy guidance, if any, has been provided to the MALF on to this rebate

Speaker Bridgid Annisette-George ruled that question out of order.