The ACT is quietly producing results. Its efficacy
would be greater if the U.S. governnent
would fully implement it.
An example is provided by the discontinuance
of the purchase of Cuban raw sugar by
REDPATH Refinery, Toronto, Canada, owned by Tate & Lyle, which
also owns several refineries
in the U.S.A. and other countries.
The Canadian refineries that import Cuban raws
are located near the Canadian-U.S.A.
border, mostly in the St. Lawrence River. They import and refine 1,l50,000
tons of raw sugar
annually, of which 1,090,000 tons are sold in the domestic market and
a relatively small portion
(60,000 tons/year) of the resulting refined is exported to U.S.A.,
chiefly in granulated form
(ordinary refined sugar) and some in sugar containing products (confectionery,
chocolate). Cuba
has exported to Canada an annual average of 142,000 tons raw sugar
in recent years.
For the Canadian REDPATH Refinery and Tate
& Lyle to comply with Helms-Burton Act
in relation to the refined from the refining of Cuban raws -- which
should not be re-exported to
U.S.A. - it would have to :
- Exclusively refine the Cuban raws, without mixing it with raws from
other origins, in the
equipment and machinery of the refinery during the refining
process.
- Segregate the resulting refined of Cuban raws from the refined made with raws of other origins, in the refined warehouse
- Prove if claims arise -- that the refined sugar and/or sugar
containing products made with
REDPATH refined and sold in the U.S.A. do not contain Cuban
sugar in order to avoid
penalties.
We have read in the press that Canada approved
an antidote law against the Helms-Burton
Act. It would be interesting learning the attitude of other Canadian
refineries in this respect.