Minister of Commerce and Trade Haynesley Benn is meeting milk producers today to hear their concerns about new imports.
The meeting, set for noon at Benn’s office, was requested by the producers after hearing that Carlton and Emerald City Supermarkets had started importing fresh milk.
Farmers and representatives of the Pine Hill Dairy (PHD) are expected to attend the meeting and make the point that imports will hurt their business.
Managing directorof Carlton and Emerald City Supermarkets, Andrew Bynoe, reported that the businesses had started importing fresh milk in response to customers’ demand.
He said the supermarkets would rather buy l ocal milk if it were available.
However, the Pine Hill Dairy said it could meet all the local demand for milk.
“As the processor of locally produced fresh milk, we can meet the market demand at this point in time. There is no shortage,” the PHD’s managing director, Clyde Gibson, told the WEEKEND NATION.
“We don’t see the need to import milk when the local farmers can supply Pine Hill Dairy and Pine Hill Dairy can supply the local market 100 per cent.”
Gibson reported that PHD had suffered some minor damage due to Tropical Storm Tomas but said “that’s behind us”.
He added: “Our plant is back to full production and we have adequate stocks so that we can supply the local market.” (TY)
