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Contact:
John Emmanuel
Friday, March 14, 2003 - The need to continue to equip consumers with
pertinent information relating to labelling, manufacturing standards, protection
and quality that translates into informed decision making on their part, has
been further highlighted, as the island approaches another Consumer Rights Days
observance.
Director of Consumer Affairs, Phillip Mc. Clauren, says as preparations enter a
heighten stage for marking the observance on Saturday March 15th, under the
theme “Corporate Control of the Food Chain – the GM Link”, a strong signal is
being sent to manufacturers and suppliers not to underestimate the value of
consumers in the trade process.
Mc. Clauren said “these issues will be highlighted to drive home the message
that consumers need information and therefore need to be in a position to
represent themselves. In light of that, the business community should not take
consumers for granted, but should understand that they are partners in the
economic development of the country and the entire region as a whole. Hence
issues of production, protection and safety impact on consumers and therefore
they should be part of the decision making process.”
Mc. Clauren says in the era of the operations of mega trade blocs like the World
Trade Organization (WTO), the North Atlantic Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), the
Free Trade Area of the American (FTAA), and the CARICOM Single Market and
Economy (CSME), consumer protection based on information, has become even more
relevant.
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