Above: Minister Errol Court

By the Caribbean Journal staff

Looking to tackle a growing problem in the Caribbean, Antigua has suspended the export of scrap metal in the country, according to National Security and Labour Minister Dr Errol Court.

The 60-day suspension, which began this week, applies to all scrap metal including copper.

Antigua’s government has also agreed to establish a special committee to review issues relating to scrap metal export in the country.

The committee is set to make a report within 30 days on measures to better regulate the scrap metal industry in Antigua, and to tackle the problem of illegal exportation of copper.

Senator Joanne Massiah is chairing the committee.

Court urged those involved in the scrap metal trade to comply with the suspension, calling it in the “best interest of the industry.”

Jamaica banned the scrap metal trade last year, following a surge in the theft of metal from homes and businesses, although it could soon be resuming the trade.

Grenada is also working to deal with the problem, which has included reported thefts of copper pots and canons from the country’s historical sites.