CARICOM Dept: Still talking, still ball-less...

[Capn Jimbo]

When will CARICOM actually do something?


A fair number of our intelligent readers may already know that this association of Caribbean states has repeatedly tried to establish standards and has repeatedly failed, as has WIRSPA, a self-serving bullshit industry group.

But now the conversation is getting serious. It seems that the Caribbean countries feel seriously threatened - especially by Diageo and their paid off American politicians.

Council for Trade and Economic Development (COTED) of CARICOM in Georgetown, Guyana:

“In addition to being the largest agriculture-based export industry in CARICOM, the rum industry is a substantial employer and a major contributor to foreign exchange earnings and government revenues...,”

"CARICOM continues to have serious concerns about the threat to the competitiveness of Caribbean rum in the United States market resulting from the massive subsidies provided by the governments of the United States Virgin Islands (USVI) and Puerto Rico to multinational rum producers in those territories."

“The nature and scale of these subsidies are such that they threaten to distort rum markets not only in the US but elsewhere,” CARICOM warned, adding that “time is not on the side of the Caribbean rum industry."

“Given the likely deleterious effect of these subsidies on the long-term viability of an industry which is of such critical importance to the economic fabric of so many countries in the region, the COTED supports strongly the deep commitment of CARICOM countries to pursuing all avenues available to secure a resolution of this matter that restores the competitive balance in the marketplace.”

(Credit: Bahama Bob)

So let's summarize. Unlike most of the Caribbean producers, a few immense conglomerates are able to produce huge quantities of rum that are significantly subsidized by American taxpayers. And who might those mega-conglomerates be?

Irwin LaRocque, CARICOM Secretary General Irwin LaRocque said that the rum issue, involving Diageo, the global rum producer, continues to "threaten Caribbean rum into the US market, and the leaders agreed that strong and urgent political intervention was needed to address that issue."

Yup, Diageo. And how does this fine and upstanding conglomerate respond? According to Bahama Bob...

'In August, the UK-based Diageo reportedly warned that should CARICOM mounts a complaint to the World Trade Organization (WTO) over the alleged subsidies it would ‘re-evaluate’ its Caribbean interests.

Diageo has denied ‘flooding’ the US market and has defended the US governments 100 year old “cover over” programme, which it said granted the USVI and Puerto Rico much-needed revenues to promote economic stability and fiscal autonomy.'

Oh I see. I'm sure Diageo has deep and sincere concern for the "economic stability" of the USVI and Puerto Rico. Bullshit. Money talks and big money talks loudest. Perhaps da'Rum's boycott has it right. As for me, I'm beginning to think so...


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Capn's Log: Bahama Bob also provides this handy link (here)

[da'rum]

No wonder they are concerned, that deal that the U.S made with Diageo is disgraceful and the U.S people should be furious. That is a massive amount of tax payers money going to a foreign firm.

It's plainly rotten politics.