Government Bans Importation of Ethanol for 6 months

By Lagi Keresoma

APIA, SAMOA – 05 MARCH 2022: The Government has put a temporary ban on the importation of ethanol for 6 months, commencing 7 March 2022 to 7 September 2022.

The decision is in response to submissions by professional bodies such as the Manufacturers Association (SAME) and the Chamber of Commerce and the Ministry of Police that pressed for action following violent incidents that led to loss of life attributed to the consumption of locally manufactured alcohol with excessive amount of ethanol.

The decision was based on the combined report of the Samoa Liquor Board and the Scientific Research Organisation of Samoa (SROS) that was tabled for Cabinet’s consideration last Thursday.

In a letter dated 3 March 2022, the Deputy Prime Minister who is also the Chairman of the Liquor Board, Tuala Iosefo Ponifasio informed all liquor manufacturers of the Cabinet decision.

Locally made Rover Vodka has been mentioned in several cases handled by police and the courts.

The temporary ban comes with condition and exceptions such as:

• All importation of ethanol (undenatured or denatured) intended for human consumption or that of the manufacture of alcohol will be prohibited within the specified period.
• All consignments containing ethanol of the type stated above, which have already been loaded onto vessels for import into Samoa as of the date of this letter will be allowed to be imported but subject to further examination of the authorities. You are therefore required to submit to our office proof of loading of your relative consignments prior to the date of this notice.
• Ethanol of the industrial grade, intended for cleaning, the food grade for analysis imported by the Ministry of Health (MOH), Scientific Research Organization of Samoa (SROS) and ethanol imported in limited quantities imported by pharmacies for cleaning and analytical use, will not be governed under the restriction/prohibition order.

Tuala said the temporary ban is to allow the Liquor Board to assess the current situation and decide on a way forward to ensure the safety of the community.

“We have received preliminary scientific advice regarding the presence of an excessive amount of ethanol contained in most of our locally manufactured ethanol based liquor,” said Tuala.

“The assessment work will extend to cover the import processes, suppliers and local production and especially the legal frameworks governing this particular activity.”

The Liquor Board discussed in their meeting of 17 February 2022 the various reports on the concerns over the growing number of incidents of violence and deaths as a result of heavy consumption of ethanol based liquor within the community.

These concerns were again raised by the community including the media, police and the Courts on the continuing impact posed by the use of ethanol based liquor and has prompted the Liquor Board to investigate and decide on based on its findings.

Tuala is also urging the public to share their views on the proposed changes.