The future of Barbados’ dairy industry could be in jeopardy.
Upset dairy farmers today claimed a Pine Hill dairy decision to drastically reduce the intake of local fresh milk from the island’s 40-plus dairy farmers could sound the death knell for this sector as they emerged from a meeting with director Richard Cozier, at which they were told of a proposal to severely cut intake of fresh milk.
The move that would see the Dairy collecting milk from the farmers every other week for three months beginning September, was viewed as potentially destructive to the local dairy industry, while Cozier disclosed over 100 Pine Hill Dairy staff would be affected by the plant’s closure on the weeks staff would be off.
After meeting with Cozier, the dissatisfied farmers headed straight for the Graeme Hall offices of the Ministry of Agriculture to demand a meeting with Minister of Agriculture Dr David Estwick.
On arrival they were told the Minister was at the time in another meeting and unable to see them. However, he relayed word of his willingness to meet with the farmers “within the next 48 hours” and they left.
Full story in tomorrow’s MIDWEEK NATION
