NASSAU, The Bahamas – The proliferation of fish, conch and food vendors selling their wares roadside and without the proper storage and regulatory regimes in place, will be addressed with the implementation of the proposed Business License Act, 2010, the Member of Parliament for Killarney, Dr. the Honourable Hubert A. Minnis told Parliament Monday.

Dr. Minnis, who serves as Minister of Health, said the roadside operations can have a negative impact on the health infrastructure of The Bahamas if not properly regulated, as high temperatures can cause the immediate putrefaction of fish, conch and food items, when not properly stored and/or maintained.

“This results in those items undergoing changes very rapidly and so when a consumer believes he or she is getting a quality product, in the matter of a day or so, they find themselves suffering from food poisoning,” Dr. Minnis said.

Dr. Minnis said the regulation of the fish, food and conch vending businesses and other small businesses, will allow officials to ensure that all entrepreneurs in those business areas are licensed and are following the proper protocols and procedures that are necessary to prevent food poisoning and other illnesses due to improper operations.

“The introduction of the proposed Business License Act, 2010 will allow for this sector to be better regulated to the point whereby we cannot only improve the quality of the product, but also place the vendor in a better position to improve their circumstances and make even more,” Dr. Minnis added.

Dr. Minnis said a similar situation exists with fruit vendors.

“Fruits again, exposed to the external heat, will undergo the same changes and therefore affect our health sector in terms of increasing food poisoning,” Dr. Minnis said.

Dr. Minnis said the regulation of the vending industry will also allow Bahamian small business owners to “enjoy a greater slice of the economic pie,” as the “formalisation of the system” will discourage competition between Bahamian small businesses and illegal operations run by illegal immigrants.

 “The illegal immigrants will not be able to qualify for becoming a part of the vending mechanism (as) they will not be able to get a licence because the licences will have certain specifications and regulations,” Dr. Minnis said.

He said the Bill will allow entrepreneurs to (not only) increase their revenue, (but) will improve their quality of life; allow them to make their National Insurance contributions on a timely basis and will allow small business owners the opportunity to sit at the table as opposed to getting the trickle-down effect or crumbs,  he added.

Dr. Minnis said the regulation of the industry will also have a domino effect in that “smaller businesses” will be created out of the established small businesses.

“This is especially so in the tourism sector where the establishment of these small businesses will create opportunities for taxis and buses etcetera to take the tourists down to a nice, clean and regulated environment where quality foods, quality products are found,” Dr. Minnis said.

“This will create an opportunity to improve our tourist product, while allowing Bahamian vendors to be introduced into a formalised society that will have long-term positive benefits,” Dr. Minnis added.

Dr. Minnis said it is government’s responsibility to improve the quality of life of its citizens; to ensure safety and keep its surroundings clean and free of garbage and rodents, and to ensure the safety of its food and water systems and the safety of its citizens while at the same time creating opportunities for all of its citizens.

“This Bill will do that,” Dr. Minnis added.