Banana Industry Restructuring Act (No. 36 of 2001)

DEC-13-2007 08:48 FROM:SV8GA I 7844562585 327 • @ iJ'll"~ SAlNTvrNCENTANDTHEGREJ\ADINES AeTNo. 36 OF2001 [ASSENT TO:784 457 1688 n,s. ) CHARLES 1.ANTROBUS Governor-Genera I 141hD<:cember, 2001. ANACT 10 make provision for tho restructurlngoftheBanana Industry. [18thDecembcr,200J) BE IT ENACTEQ bytbeQlleen'sMostExcellentMaj¢llyby andwith the adviceand consent ofthe HouseofAssemblyofSaintVincentandthe Grenadines and by the authority of the same as follows: I. 11m;Act may be cited as the Banana Industry Restructuring Ad Sllur! lit It: and 200L and shall come into operation on a day to be appointed by the: . ccmmcucement Governor General by Proclamationpublished in the Gazelle 2. In this Act, It Assembly"meansthe Assemblyof'BananaGrowersestablished under section IS; 1I Associanon" means the Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Banana Growers Association established under section 3; "banana" means any fntil from any varietyof the plant of the genus musa and "banana plant" is to be construed accordingly, "banana grower" means timowner or occupierof land on which banana plants are rol.tivalcd; "Chairman" meansthechairmanof theBanana Action Committee; "Committee" means the Banana Action Committee established under section 5; "former Act" means the Banana Industry Act; tntcepretattcn Cap. 3,2 DEC-13-2007 08:48 FRDM,SV8GA 7844562585 TD:784 457 1688 No. 36 328 Banana Industry Restrocturing-- . • 2001 No. 8 of 1994 Esltlblill;hmell1 and (un(lliOns of the SalOl Vincent and the Orcllladines Banana Orowet:l Atisocialion :, •1, "General Manager" means tbe General Manager of the Association appointed under section 13 of the Act; "Minister" means the Minister responsible forAgriculture; "register" means the register of banana growers pursuant to section II; , "registered grower" means aJ!"IWfI whosenameis fordie time beingentered in the register; "Slate" means the Slate (IfSaintYmcenl andtheGrenadines; "WlBDECO" means theWindward bland Banana Development and Exporting CQ~any Limiteda company incorporated Under the Companies Act 1 (I) There is established the Saint Vincent and the Grenadine, BananaGrowers Association a1xtdy corporate withthepowertoccnuact and to sue and be sued in that name to acquire, hold and dispose of property and to draw, accept, make, endorse and negotiate bills of exchange, promissory notes, billa of lading and lIDY, other negotiable instrument. (2) TheAssociation shall in accom.nce withtbeprovisions of this Act have the follClwing functions: (0) to controtthe cultivation ofball8llJl. andbanana plants within the Slan,; (b) to promote institute and undertake research into the cultivation of banaw and bananaplan.. And lake the necessary stepsas rnaybe expedielll fbr thecontrol or prevention of pests' and diseases that affect the eultivation of bananas and bananaplants; (c) 10 providefbr the protection and imprOVell1MI of the banana industry; (d) to negotiateandprocurethepaymenrto banana growers of an equitable price for bananas; (e) toassistand toact as agents for registered growers and 10performontheirbehalf, services asmaybedetermined ftomtimeto time; and 10provide, on theadvice ofCabinet.generally for thebettercarrying into effect of the provisions and purposesof this Act. Offi,i,l ,,,lor 4. The Assoclation shallhave an officialseal thatshallbe affixed 'h. A"ccialio" onlybytheauthorityoftheCommittee and accompanied bythesignatures of'theChairman, onemember oftheCotnmittee andtheGeneral Mallager. • DEC-13-2007 08:48 FROM:SV8GA 7844562585 TO:784 457 1688 No. 36 329 Banana Industry !{esrmeluring ~~ • 2001 CDnnilutloli of the CommHte:e Cslablishtntnt of the Banana Action Committee 5. (I) There is established a Banana Action Committee and the operations of theAssociation shallbe conducted by that Commillee. (2) TheCommittee may, onbehalfof rhe Association, dowhat is necessary and expedient in furtherance of or consistent with the purposes and provisions of this Act. 6. (I) The Committee shall consist of lifteen persons appointed by Cabinet as foDows: (a) the Chief Agricultural Officer in the Ministry of Agricul~, LandsandFisheries or hisnominee; (h) the Director General of Finance and Planning or his nOmineei who shallbe ex-officio members; ee) eight persons whoare banana gt'OWCIl fourof whmn shallbe appointed Inconsulllltion with the Assembly; (d) a representative from the Chamber of Commerce nominated by theChamber; (ej fburother1,lCfSOIl$ oneofwhomlhaIl~ arepresl;lltative from the main Trade Union representing the banana industry. (2) Cabinetshall,by instrument inwriting, appoint a Chainnan and a DeputyChairmanoftheCommittee fromamongst themtJiJbers and theDeputyChairman shall.in theabsence foranyreasonQ{the CI!altmaII, perform thel\Inctions Q{the Chairman, (3) 'thepurpose. functions andpolicy oftheCommittee shall be detenomed from time to lime by Cabinet upon consultation with the Assembly. 7; (I) A memberofthe Committee shall holdoffice fura term of Tenure 01 orr;" oneyear, andshallbe eligible{orre-appomtment, .1Id remuneranen (2) A member ofthe Ctnnrnillee shall bepaidremuneration in aceerdance withthetermsandconditions detennlned byCabinet 8. The Chairman Or ifhe is not present, theDeputy Chairman and Ouorum eightof themembers ef'the Committee sl..Ueo""tilute a quorum. 9. No action taken, Or thingdonebytlw Commltlee, pursuantto its V.",,,y ill functions under thisAet, shall be invalid by reason onlythata vacancy membership existsinthe numbcrofmemberson theCommirtee. .-.....,."... -., . • DEC-13-2007 08:48 FRDM:SV8GA 7844562585 TO: 784 457 1688 2O'l1 • 330 Banana Industry Restructuring '----'----- .. ...... "---''' No. Jr, rllr~h~sillg and export and m:llkcling of b'l/mllils 10. (1) WffiDECO is the sale exporter and marketer of bananas produced intheStaleandexported tonon-Caribbean States andterritories. (2) Tkepurchase andexport by WlBDECO ofballana,produced intile Stateshallbeunderwritten agreement between WIBDbCO andthe Association, selling out the detail, of the. termsand conditions thaiboth parties will b. boundby in the purchase and exportof bananas produced in the State. (3) In the interimuntil the agreement referredto in subsection (2) is finalised and pursuantto subsection (1) WlBDECO is vested with the necessary powers to enable it to purchase from the Association bananas produced in the State and export and market them to "011 Caribbean 8tatesandterritories. R.&",,,,01 ban,", II. (I) TheAssociation shallcause to bekeptabookwithnumbered grow." Or indexed pages to be known as the "registerof bananagrowers," (2) An owner Oroccupierofland who has cultivated at least thirty roofs, mats, shoots or banana plants may apply in writing to the Association to be registered as a banana grower., (3) rf tho Association is satisfied that an applicant is duly qualified undersubsection (2) for registration, th~'AssociaUoll ,hall (aJ causeIllsname tobe entered in the register; and (b) ensure that he is issued with a numbered registration cardsignifying thathe Isa registered grower, but if it is not satisfied the Association shall reject theapplication, (4) Before considering anyapplication madeundersubsection (2) theAssociation mayrequiretheapplicant to furnish evidence toshow that he isqualified in accordance withsubsection (2). (5) If at any lime the Associauon has reasonto believe thata registered grower is no longerqualified to beregistered underthissection, the Association mayserve on him, personally Or bypost, a noticethathe shall withina specified time, presentevidence to the satisfacuon of the Association, thathe is still qualified to be registered, otherwise hi, name will bestruckofftheregister. (6) If, after service of. notice under subsection (5), the Association is not satisfied by Ute evidence presented the name of the registered grower concerned shallbe struckoff the registerand fromthe register ofmembers ofthe dismct branchwhere his nameappeers. Q'I If a registered grower dies the Association may enter the names of'hispersonrepresentatives in theregisterinplaceofthe name of • DEC-13-2007 08:48 FROM:SV8GA No,36 7844552585 331 Banana Industry Resn'Ucturing • TD:784 457 1688 2001 P.3/9 lite deceased save that, not mare that Oill: person shallbe registered ID respectof thosamelot, pieceor parcelofland andtheCommittee may, in its discretion, remove front the register the names of the personal representetives, or any of them,at any time, (g) The business name of any bodyof persons dulyregistered under the Registration of Business Names Act, may be entered in the register on epphcation made and '1ualific.~on appearing in accordance witl, thissectionand subscctio. '" and(6) §hall applyaccordingly, (9) An applicationfot registration under this section shall not be made10,or considered by,tbe Association if wit!Jiu theperiod of one yearimmediately preeeding tneapplication, a similar application hasbeen tnlIde by Ibe sameapplicantin respectof the samelot, pieceor parcelof land. 12. (I) A person whose applieation for registration under se<:li<m I I hasbeen rejectedby theA>llociation lIlayappeal, within \breemonths, to the magistrate of the district where the person resides, and iC the magistrate issatisGed byevidencethat thepoison isqualified undersection 11(2), themagistrate shallorder theGeneral Manager tore-enter lI1e name of thatperson in theregister. (2) Notice of the hearingof an. appeel to themaglstrate under thissectionshallbe servad upontheGeneral Manager bythe appellant at leastSeven clear days before lhe datefixed for th<: hearing, (3) At any subsequent l1earing, ilie General Manager may be orderedto paya fme o[forty doll.rs Cor eachday,afterthedateofreceipt byhimof an orderundersubsection(I), where it isprovedthathe Iailed, williout reasonable excuse, '0 enterthename oftheappellant in theregister. (4) Ordersmadeby a magistrale uodoruusseelioushall be final and shall nOI be the subject of an appeal to any oilier court. 13. The Committee shall uponprior approval of Cabinet, appoint a General Manager ofthe Association anddetllrmin. the remuneration, terms and conditions of his service. 14 All other management personnel andadministrative'!arrof the Association shell be appointed by the Committee except that, if the Committee intends10 appoint staff at a remuneration of Or ill exces of !hilly six thousand dollars per annum, the approval of Cabinet mue be obtainedprior to \he appointment. 15. (I) Thereis establishedanAssembly oCDanana Growers, which .ball replace the existingdistrict branches estabUshed underthe former ~l ' Cap. III RighI of appeal Apl'0inttnent of General Manager Appuintment of man a g emen t personnel BnQ stafr EstlbliGhmCl"ll of Assembl)' of Banana Gmwcr~ DEC-13-2007 08:48 FROM:SV8GA 7844552585 TO:784 457 1688 2001 " 332 Banana Industry Restructuring . .~----''--'-'-'='-------'' No. 36 Rcgisten; of dislncl branches Power 1D enter land for apprai!isl etc. (2) TheAssembly will be maintained ~t thenational, anddistrict leveland may becalled uponbytheComminee from time totereforadvice on matters pcrtahllng to the rcstrucluring, management and functioning of the banana industry. 16. The re~islers maintained by district branches under the former Actshan be deltvered tothe officeof tileAssociation. 17. (I) The Association may. in wriling, require the Clnef Agricultural Officer10 enter upon any land where bananas or banana plants tire situated, for thepurpose of appraising or inspecting (a) thevariety. quality, quantity Or condition ofbananas or banana plants: (b) themethod of cultivation or reapingemployed; and (e) anyequipment or material used. (2) TheOtiefAgrieulturalOfficer, aftergiving seven days ootice inwriting 10 theowner oroccupierofhis intention to entt;>upon!he land in accordance with subseotlon (1), mayenter the landat anyreasonable time to do ~11 things necessary for the appraisal or inspeclion under subsection (I). . (3) The Association may, by its duly authorised agents, serve personallyorbypostonabananagrower, a notice of intention toenterthe , land ownedor occupied.by hint Md,shall enterthe land two cleat days after the date of service, for the purpose of ascertaining or ensuring compliance with anymeasures required to be taken byregulations made under thiS Act. • PCl'lSiOI1 ;In<! . provident fund schemes (4) A personautllolised undersubsection (3) to enteranyland in pursuance of that~ulboriaation musthavewrittenauthorisation signed by the General Manager, and the wrinenauthorisation ,hall be produced for tile inspection of anypersonreasonably requiring Ibe 'arne. (5) In thissection"land"includes anybuilding Olt the land. 18. The Assoeiation shall honour any pension and provident fund schemes that wereestablished prior10 the commencement of thisAct, founds of the Ali!>()ciaUon 19. The funds of theAssociation shall comprise of (a) sumsof moneythatmayfromtime10 timebe votedto the Association for tho purposes of this Act by the House of Assembly; (b) mo.';;es aeenJ,ing to theAssociation in theeoUISO of the performance of anyof its functions underthisAct; and ' ...0 .. DEC-13-2007 08:48 FROM:SU8GA 7844562585 TO: 784 457 1688 P.5/9 NQ.36 333 Banana Industry Res!Iueturing • 2001 (e) allY ether sums of moneypaid to the Assoeiation, m respect of a mailer or Ihing, in pursuance or as a consequence of, Or incidental to, the exerelse of its powers and Ihcperformance of its functions underthis Act. 20. (I) The Associetioa must keep proper books of account Accounts 'nd containing detailsof'all its Irnnsactions. ,"dot (2) The Director General of Financeand Planning or anysuch publicoffi<:er authorised byhimin writing shallhave accesstoallaccounts, documents, papersandbooksoftheAssocjatlon.and theOeneralManagec shall furnish to the Directcr-General ofFinane<: andPlanningoelbepublic oft1cee authorised by him aU ioformalioll with respect to tbe financial positionof theAssociation"I he mayat any timereasonably require, (3) The accounts of the Association shallbe auditedll1'1ually by an auditor appointedby Cabioet. (4) The Directoe of Audit or a duly appointed auditor, may demandtlteproduction ofany accounts, documents, papersandboob of theAssoclati'>II that inhisopinionare required toenable himpropecly to audit the accounts of the Associatlon. (5) The audited accounts and any auditor's report on the accounts must be submittid to the Committee as soon as is reasonably practicable allercompletion of theauditand in anyeventonor before the (5thday of April in eachyear,and theGeneral Maoagccshall forward a copy to theMinister. (6) The General Managcunust.not laterthantwo months after theendof'eachyear, submit10theMinis,era reponconlaining asummary (a) of the operations of theAssociation during the previous year; and (b) oftheflnancial posiuonofthe Association at tbeendof thatyear. (7) TheMinist.r shall,assoonas isreasonably p.-actic~ble allor receiptof the reportmentioned insubsection (6), laycopiesof that report and of the audited accounts and any auditor's report on the accounts before tho House of Assembly. . ~l. (t) The Association shall be exempt frOnI p~yment of statnp Exernptlcn from duty,searchond inspeetionfees, and othercharges of a publicDDfiJre, in dUly respect of the statutoryregistration, filing' or C\lslody of docunwnts by theCcmmittee M the Associatidn. " . , .." • "- H • 'DEC-13-2007 08:48 FROM:SV8GA 7844562585 TO:784 457 1688 2001• 334 Banana Industry RestructuringNo.36 -=..::::::::...--.:.~..:.:-....::.:..=-~ Disclosure of interest Il"Qnsfcl" or cfl'icel1i Cup. 210 Cilp.204 Dircclionl!ii of MititUflT A.s!ill:t:i and liabilities (2) TheAssociation shall heexempt frompayn1ent of customs daty in respect of all goods and equipment imported by the Association required in theexercise ofits POWelS andtheperformance ofitsfunctions under thisAct. 22. (I) A member of the Committee or mestaffof the Association who is,or islikely tobe,concerned in.Drwhoparticipates in theprofits of, anyoomrect wid, or work doneby or forthe Assnciation, otherwise than inhiscapacityas amember oremployee oftheAssociation, 'halldisclose the nature of his interes! in1becontract Or work done for theAssociation inwriting to theCommitice. (2) A membctilftlJe Committee who ll; required bysubsection (0 to diselose, his intereit~h~l~ ifthemalletin which he luis an interest, conies Defore any inceling of the Committee for consideration, before c\!I/!!.~<!~.!i.Q~.~. glYI'!1AM~,dlsj:lose his U\terest and shall, WIle" the CotllltliDt<: o1herwlse agrees, retire Iromthemeedng fortheduration ofthe consideration ofth~ andshallinanycaseabstain from anyVote in conlle~lioli'Wiilf,lIi.~u!' 'p ':...... ,.:.:~: .• ,:!.;.,..: , /XL (I) 'Ihe.PublicServiccCommission mayatanytime permit and give cffe~t to the transler of an officer from the ppbJic service to the Associationandviec vCJ:Sapursuant to1heprovisions ofthePublic OllieeIS ~cr iJf:(Jnd~ngs):Act. (2) The transfor in pursuance of subsection (I) of anyofficer ,shaD, ,for tlJ,e purpose. ~t<the PellSions Act, be treated as a transfer to whichPartIII oftheSchedule to thatAct applies, andIlls service with the Association,shall be ilocmed to bepensionable service.. • '. ,J. • ." . (3)".·The As'<li;iation shall, inrespect of'anyotrtt:er transferred to itWIdersubsectien (I), contribute totheConsolidated Fund theamount by way of 'pellSionabie emolwnents and persona! allowances for the purposes of thePensions A~t as Cabinet may determine. 24, The Mlnisler may, afterconsultation with the Chairman of theCommitteeand withtheapproval uffhe Cabinc~ give IntheCommillcc diroetiOfis liiwtifulg;oflfgC!\eial orspecial character Doi inconsistent with 11I.)iilipO~e~~rld'provrslo~ ~'j!hJs Ad Qto the exeroise andperformance by'"lhe Conlmitl<:c ofiis funttioils in relation 10 matters that affect the banana induStIy. :!S. The aSkta ~d liabilities or the Saint Vincent and the G..,ru;~ii)" 'Ii.nil~'p.ro1";;r~.Asiociation under the former Actshall be vested 'in ihc il.ssociatiQn established under t\lis Act. • ,r, 'DEC-13-2007 0B:49 FR[f1:SUBGA 78445625B5 TO:784 457 1688 , No. 36 335 Banana InduslI')' Rostruellaing • 2001 26. 1'hcMinistermay, ontherecommendation oftheCommittee, '"'8ulationa make RegUlations for the proper carrying outofthepurposes Dfthls Act. n. The BSl1Jll\s Industry Act i. repealed. R.p",1 ofesp, Jl r Passed intheHouse of Assembly ofthis' 16th dey of October 2001. J. ffiERESA ADAMS Clerk oflhe House of Assembly. Printed bylbeGovernment Printerat thI: Government Printing Office; Kingstown, St.Vmeent andthe Grenadines. ..,.';-: ',' -,~':--""!"""'-- ... 200\ " - \" tPrlce$3.60] •