Six months late

Opposition Leader Mark Golding has criticised the Government’s pace in legislating the environmental protection levy (EPL), saying the delay has prevented the collection of revenue contemplated in this year’s fiscal plans, with the measure now set to become payable six months later than originally planned.

Golding made the point in the House of Representatives on Tuesday as Finance Minister Fayval Williams tabled the Environmental Protection Levy Act, 2026, which seeks to establish a statutory framework for the levy and give legal effect to its collection.

The legislation provides for the revised levy rate of 0.85 per cent, up from 0.5 per cent, to take effect on October 1, 2026. For locally manufactured goods, the 0.85 per cent rate will continue to be applied to 75 per cent of the selling price before GCT and SCT, while imports will attract the levy on their full cost, insurance and freight (CIF) value.