The Tribune

By KHRISNA VIRGIL

Tribune Staff Reporter

kvirgil@tribunemedia.net

V ALFRED Gray, Minister of Agriculture and Marine Resources, yesterday back-pedalled on his vow to completely ban chicken imports if the industry does not fall into line with government policy.

Just a month ago, he warned wholesalers that unless they agreed to show that a specific percentage of their inventory was purchased locally, foreign-bred chicken would be prohibited.

Mr Gray said: “I have reorganised some words. I am not sure that we will totally prohibit the import of anything totally because to do that might put some strain on the consumer. But what I have been able to gather and achieve with the producers and the purchasers is that they will be prepared to purchase 30 per cent of what their needs are locally and import the other 70 per cent. That is acceptable to both sides, and so far so good.”

Mr Gray’s initial declaration came on July 25, as he announced the official start of the crawfish season.

At the time, he said: “At this moment, there is in place a policy, where the Bahamian buyer must show that he purchases 30 per cent of the chicken he needs, (or) 30 per cent of the eggs he needs, in order to get a permit to bring in 70 per cent.

“I intend to stop the import if that must happen, so I beg them to co-operate so we don’t heighten or raise the bar. I am not saying that I have done it today, but if they continue to avoid buying locally, that will be the next step.”

He added that those plans were still subject to Cabinet approval.

The new announcement was prompted, Mr Gray said, by the compliance level by wholesalers so far.

“We met with about 12 or 13 buying, either company or individuals, and I would say about six or seven are complying with what we say.

“Unless all of them do it, there will be no affect on the bottom line because the larger purchasers use 700 to 800 cases per week. If all of them buy 30 per cent of what they need, 200, 300 hundred cases, I would think that would be a good start,” the minister said.

Admitting that to import from Brazil is currently cheaper, Mr Gray said Bahamians could end up at an advantage if the government makes every effort to stimulate the local market.

“I do not intend to sit here and encourage farmers to get involved in the production of Bahamian food only to be in a position where I must admit that the Brazilian chicken is coming in a few cents cheaper. But what price do you pay for Bahamianisation?

“I’d rather help a Bahamian with five cents more on the chicken, than to pay five cents or 10 cents less and help the Brazilian because that’s who we are helping to stay employed,” Mr Gray said.