CARICOM calls for end to hazardous waste shipments through Caribbean Sea

GEORGETOWN, Guyana, Saturday December 29, 2012 – The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) has called for an end to the shipment of hazardous waste through the Caribbean Sea.

“It is with gravest concern that the Caribbean Community reiterates and intensifies its opposition to the passage of shipments of high level waste through the Caribbean Sea.  The Caribbean Sea constitutes not only a part of the way of life of the Caribbean people but also a principal source of livelihood and socio-economic activity,” said CARICOM Chairman Dr. Kenny Anthony.

Anthony, who is also the Prime Minister of St. Lucia, made the call ahead of the trans-shipment of Vitrified High Level Waste from the United Kingdom to Japan through the Caribbean Sea.

“The United Kingdom’s imminent shipment of radioactive waste follows 14 such shipments to date, each of which has been strenuously objected to by CARICOM Heads of Government, Caribbean business communities and civil society.

“In this regard, the region is particularly disappointed by the continued disregard shown by the United Kingdom for the objections to such shipments given the historical relations which the Caribbean shares with the United Kingdom,” Prime Minister Anthony said in a statement.(CMC)

SOURCE: http://www.caribbean360.com/