The importer of nearly 385 tonnes of Guyanese rice seized in Suriname yesterday withdrew his court challenge after the judge indicated that his application faced rejection because the required prior import licence had not been obtained, Starnieuws reported.

Bhagwatpersad Ramadhin’s withdrawal ended the urgent civil proceedings against the State without a final judgment on the merits. The rice remains seized, with no decision on its release, return or destruction announced in the report. 

Authorities in Guyana have remained silent on the issue.

According to Starnieuws’ account of yesterday’s hearing, the judge made clear that a judicial decision could not conflict with existing legislation. Ramadhin was given the choice of withdrawing his application or having it rejected, and opted to withdraw.

The hearing addressed the requirement for prior approval from Suriname’s Ministry of Economic Affairs, Entrepreneurship and Technological Innovation. Rice is on the country’s list of goods subject to import licensing, and Ramadhin did not possess the required licence, the outlet reported.

The dispute involves both that licence and the separate phytosanitary permission required by the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries. The latter ministry maintains that the shipment should be treated as suspected smuggled goods and handled under the applicable legal procedure. 

Kiskadee Watch reported yesterday that Ramadhin had sought an order requiring the authorities to inspect the rice and allow its clearance if no phytosanitary risk was established.

He also wanted the State barred from returning, destroying or otherwise disposing of the cargo, and sought a penalty of SRD1 million per day for non-compliance with the requested orders.

The shipment arrived aboard the MV Falk for his rice factory in Nickerie. A phytosanitary certificate issued by Guyana’s National Plant Protection Organisation on September 29 recorded the cargo as 384,800 kilogrammes. 

Customs seized the rice on Monday evening and placed it aboard the Falk under supervision and guard, Starnieuws reported on Wednesday.

Citing a Customs record, the outlet said poor internet connectivity had initially prevented officers from checking all supporting documents. Part of the shipment was released after an importer’s representative reportedly assured officers that the necessary paperwork had been uploaded. 

When access to the system was restored, officers found required documents missing, halted further clearance and recalled the rice already removed from the port. 

Agriculture Minister Mike Noersalim had initially announced that the cargo would be returned to Guyana. However, in an interview reported yesterday by Suriname Herald, he said returning it was now difficult because it had been intercepted and treated as smuggled goods.

He pointed to destruction as a possible legal option, but the report did not announce an order to destroy the rice. The dispute has centred on import approvals; the reports reviewed do not identify a finding that the shipment was contaminated.