Scrap metal sites reviewed

The Customs Department has committed to completing its assessment of existing scrap metal sites within four weeks.



It said approval of sites, which will be allowed to operate in the short-term, would also be completed within that time.



During a meeting yesterday involving stakeholders in the scrap metal industry, it was agreed that three to four central facilities would be established eventually.



The establishment of central loading facilities is in response to concerns about the capacity of Customs and the Police to monitor the large number of registered sites island wide.



It was also agreed that at the end of the four-week review process, another meeting would be held with the stakeholders and, a decision taken regarding the resumption of export.



On Tuesday, Industry Minister Karl Samuda announced that he was suspending the exportation of scrap metals due to the increasing incidence of theft.



The exportation of scrap metal was also halted in October last year, to allow for the trade to be regulated in light of the reported incidents of theft.