Conch Levy Bill to Be Drafted

Cabinet has approved the issuing of drafting instructions for a Bill to make special provisions for the payment and collection of the conch levy payable under the Conch Export Levy Act.

The new provisions will apply in respect of the 2015 conch season.

Minister with responsibility for Information, Senator the Hon. Sandrea Falconer, made the announcement at a post Cabinet press briefing, held at the Montego Bay Convention Centre, on June 17.

Senator Falconer said the Act imposes a levy on conch and allows the Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries to prescribe the rate for each season.

The proposed legislation will allow for the payment of the levy within three months of an application for export certificate and the export licence for each consignment of conch. It will also make provision for the levy to be paid in installments.

A levy of seventy-five cents US (75c US) is being imposed for the 2015 conch season, and will be imposed on each occasion an exporter applies for an Export Health Certificate and Export Licence for a consignment of conch.