The decision to import chicken parts for the Christmas
season is ruffling more feathers.
The Jamaica Manufacturers' Association (JMA) is expressing alarm and demanding answers from the Government over its decision to import chicken parts.
The JMA says based on consultation, there is no need for the importation at this time, as local producers are able to meet the current demand for the festive season.
JMA President Omar Azan is also raising concerns about the origin of the chicken parts and possible health risks.
According to Mr. Azan, the JMA and local farmers are distraught by the decision, which he says runs counter to the Government's policy of developing local industries.
"I would like to have some answers from the Ministry of Agriculture to find out what is happening because this is totally different from the focus of Government now ... they should be looking at boosting local industry, creating more jobs and fostering development," he said.
Mr. Azan is contending that this move is the total opposite of that.
"This is even the opposite from the Ministry's ‘Eat what you Grow' campaign which they've been running ... so, I'm not too sure where this is coming from and the JMA and their members need to have some answers on where this is coming from ... it could be something else tomorrow," he said.
Chicken shortfall of almost 2mil kgs - Tufton
And the Ministry of Agriculture said last month it issued permits for approximately 625 thousand kilograms of chicken leg quarters.
Minister Dr. Christopher Tufton insists that based on historical consumption data for chicken meat, sales of day-old-chickens and data from the producers, the projected shortfall would be approximately 2 million kilograms.
This includes over 800,000 kilograms for the last quarter of this year.
Dr. Tufton said the imported chicken parts would attract a 40% duty to allow local producers to compete while offering an alternative to the consumer.
He further explained that the intervention was proactive to ensure that consumers were protected, while local farmers continue to build their capacity.
he says this represents the first shipment of leg quarters to be imported this year, while in previous years, an average of four to five containers were imported on a weekly basis.
According to Dr. Tufton, chicken has not so far been imported as a deliberate strategy to allow local poultry farmers to expand production and satisfy local demand.
The Jamaica Manufacturers' Association (JMA) is expressing alarm and demanding answers from the Government over its decision to import chicken parts.
The JMA says based on consultation, there is no need for the importation at this time, as local producers are able to meet the current demand for the festive season.
JMA President Omar Azan is also raising concerns about the origin of the chicken parts and possible health risks.
According to Mr. Azan, the JMA and local farmers are distraught by the decision, which he says runs counter to the Government's policy of developing local industries.
"I would like to have some answers from the Ministry of Agriculture to find out what is happening because this is totally different from the focus of Government now ... they should be looking at boosting local industry, creating more jobs and fostering development," he said.
Mr. Azan is contending that this move is the total opposite of that.
"This is even the opposite from the Ministry's ‘Eat what you Grow' campaign which they've been running ... so, I'm not too sure where this is coming from and the JMA and their members need to have some answers on where this is coming from ... it could be something else tomorrow," he said.
Chicken shortfall of almost 2mil kgs - Tufton
And the Ministry of Agriculture said last month it issued permits for approximately 625 thousand kilograms of chicken leg quarters.
Minister Dr. Christopher Tufton insists that based on historical consumption data for chicken meat, sales of day-old-chickens and data from the producers, the projected shortfall would be approximately 2 million kilograms.
This includes over 800,000 kilograms for the last quarter of this year.
Dr. Tufton said the imported chicken parts would attract a 40% duty to allow local producers to compete while offering an alternative to the consumer.
He further explained that the intervention was proactive to ensure that consumers were protected, while local farmers continue to build their capacity.
he says this represents the first shipment of leg quarters to be imported this year, while in previous years, an average of four to five containers were imported on a weekly basis.
According to Dr. Tufton, chicken has not so far been imported as a deliberate strategy to allow local poultry farmers to expand production and satisfy local demand.
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