FFOS will comply with the Privy Council Ruling

Date: March 2nd , 2018

Dear Editor/Newsroom,

On 27th November 2017 , the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council overturned the Trinidad and Tobago Appeal Court judgement handed down by Justices of Appeal Honorable Gregory Smith, Honorable Nolan Bereaux, and Honorable Mark Mohammed and has ruled in favor of Fishermen and Friends of the Sea (FFOS) ending an eleven year journey to challenge the Government of Trinidad and Tobago’s legislated Water Pollution Fees (Amendment) Regulations of 2006.

The FFOS’ solicitors in London have today received the Order from the Law Lords of the Privy Council regarding the time frame for the Government of Trinidad and Tobago to comply with the ruling on the Polluter Pay Principle handed down on the 27th November 2017. The Government of Trinidad and Tobago now has a time period of 12 months to comply with the Orders given by the Law Lords on 27th November 2017 and award full legal cost to FFOS.

It is our understanding is that this Order is still to be consolidated with the earlier Order given with their judgment on 27th November 2017.

This is will be made available to you once received from the Privy Council.

FFOS regret the fact that it was forced to take this public interest matter over a long bumpy eleven year road all the way to the Privy Council and are relieved at the award of costs. Going forward FFOS hopes that the EMA will include our recommendation to the draft National Environmental Policy (NEP) that FFOS continues to reach out to responsible Government leaders and agencies so as to ensure there is inclusion and consultation towards the sustainable and equitable development for all of the voiceless in our beloved nation – Trinidad and Tobago

Sincerely,
Gary Aboud
Corporate Secretary