The Scrap Iron Dealers Association is calling on the Ministry of Trade and the police to temporarily ban the export of copper until those responsible for buying stolen goods are caught.
At a Media Conference on Monday, President of TTSIDA, Allan Ferguson, said the Association is not going to take all the blame for the stolen copper trade.
He said in Trinidad and Tobago, there are approximately 136 registered scrap iron yards and just about 10 of those are licensed by the Ministry of Trade to export copper.
He believes the solution to the theft of copper from TSTT cables and WASA lines is to put a ban on the export of copper.
Mr. Ferguson said while hundreds of people depend on the scrap iron business for a living, the theft of copper is hurting and damaging the industry.
He said its a lot of scrap iron buyers driving around in neighbourhoods are not members of the Association, and a ban is one way not to have a market for the copper.
