When it comes to relief for farmers from a new water usage fee, the chief executive of the Agricultural Society, James Paul, is not buying what Agriculture Minister Indar Weir is selling.
Weir said he was still awaiting information from farmers on the impact that the Government’s Garbage and Sewage Contribution was having on their operations, but Paul said data was already submitted.
A spreadsheet showing the effect of an estimated 50 per cent increase in water bills from the levy, which is tacked on to an average poultry farm’s production costs, had been sent to the minister, Paul told Barbados TODAY.
Only yesterday, Weir said he was yet to receive evidence from farmers that the new GSC levy was negatively affecting their operations.
“So far I have not had any information giving me the detail, the quantitative analysis to show how the water is affecting the farmers in terms of inputs, in terms of unit costs, in terms of costs to the final consumer, and that analysis has to be done,” Weir had told Barbados TODAY, following a tour of Chickmont Foods Ltd on Monday.
But Paul insisted that he was not aware the minister needed the actual bills.
“I don’t know if the minister wants additional information in terms of the actual water bills that the farmers have,” he said.
“We were not told that before. So if he wants the actual water bill that the farmers have, I guess that is something that you will have to get copied – the farmers will have to provide copies of their water bills and send to him – the before and after.”
The farmers’ advocate said he would now have to encourage farmers to come forward with their water bills for the past four months, as well as bills for months prior to the tax, to show the level of increase.
“I could only encourage them, if that is what the minister wants for the individual farmers to come forward with bills . . .
I would tell the farmers now that is what he wants to see,” he said.
During the tour of Chickmont’s Christ Church facility, Weir also indicated that he would soon be reviewing the poultry industry to determine what measures should be put in place to safeguard producers against the importation of chicken wings.
But Paul told Barbados TODAY that research had been done and presented to the Ministry of Agriculture recently.
“We have done the study and we have provided the results of that study to the minister and of course we are waiting on his comments as far as the study is concerned,” said Paul.
“The conclusions are that the levels of chicken wing imports do impact on our local poultry production in terms of sales.”
Weir had promised to do a thorough review to find out what impact, if any, a limit on the importation of chicken wings would have on the tourism industry, other businesses and consumers.
He said that this issue was one that his ministry would need to move with “some alacrity” to address.
marlonmadden@barbadostoday.bb
Nobody would believe that James Paul pranced up in Parliament and justified (and voted for) his DLP administration increasing water rates 60% on the same farmers he represents. All of a sudden his is champion of burdened chicken farmers having to pay higher water bills. Gimme a break!
As far as the poultry industry is concern, a UWI study a few years ago revealed that local producers control 96% of the market. Hence importation of a tiny percentage will have no impact (if any at all) on overall sales.
Poultry producers are just as greedy as local merchants who incessantly complain about everything under the sun from “wine to iodine”, want the world of concessions and still continue to “juck out the eyes” of Barbadian consumers. Some have already reduced costs by adding renewable energy systems to their operations, so they are saving hundreds of thousands of dollars but chicken prices were still increasing over the years
Barbadians eat the most chicken in the world per capita. Those producers are not suffering; just a bunch of complainers who want to ride on Government’s back and then take Bajans for a ride through fowl poop.
The farmers where not complaining then BUT now lizzy. First time in our history that we paying taxes on s**t.
liz sorry carl u probably get paid well to jump at every comment not supporting govt..by the way didnt the last govt back you or support u for a certain position? they couldnt be all bad
@Patty
You really got issues. Is that what you really wakeup this morning to post? Go ahead, drown in your own stupidity.
@Carl Harper: Yes Paul while in the cabinet voted for the 60% increase in water rates that affected the said farmers.
Some ministers in this B L P government lambasted the then
D L P administration for those and other increases as well, only now to be in agreement or otherwise silent on the recent increases of taxes on services and items to Barbadians.
So please tell me Harps that’s the difference between the two party’s members? Nothing separates them, for sure they seem to share the same spectacles while in opposition, and when in government. Having been there yourself, perhaps you can shed some light on this. Are they spectacles designed by the B C C I, other private sector agencies, the I M F, or other international organisations that are prepared and waiting in each seat?
How can you supporters of these two dead end parties still support this sham they call good governance simply because you have been with them for decades? After being exposed to international standards, we should be the advocates for real change in Barbados. We need to let the people know through presenting the facts so they can understand that going from the Bees to the Dems or visa versa is simply exchange.
I hope to alert you to your continued disservice to Barbadians who educated you, while focusing on your self service over that cup of coffee maybe this weekend. Can we say Saturday on the South?
JAMES PAUL YOU SPAT UP IN THE AIR AND IT COME DOWN IN YOUR FACE, YOU SUPPORTED A WATER INCREASE BY THE DLP , WHAT YOU SAYING NOW, YOU SUPPORTED THE IMPORTATION OF WATER METERS THAT WERE REJECTED BY A INTERNATIONAL COUNTRY LIKE CANADA BECAUSE THEY DONT WORK, THOSE WERE BROUGHT IN BY INNOTECH AND THEN INNOTECH HIRE THEM OWN PPL TO PUT THEM IN ON PPL LINES, TAKING BOUT GETTING OUT SIDE CONTRACTORS, ALL THE MONEY FELL BACK AT INNOTECH, MINISTER ESTWICH AND WHO EVER ELSE AT INNOTECH BRING THEM IN HERE, PROFIT ALL ROUND FOR THEM , AND THEM AINT EVEN TEST ONE BEFORE THEM WENT OUT TO SEE HOW THEM WORKING, JAMES PAUL YOU MUST GO THOUGH, SOONER OR LATER, CANT HAVE YOU DLP PPL TRYING TO MAKE THE GOVERNMENT LOOK BAD WHEN THESE THINGS WERE DONE UNDER YOUR WATCH, AND WANT TO BLAME A YOUNG GOVERNMENT FOR THINGS HAPPENING FOR OUT YONDER SO,
Liz don’t like me no more.
But that’s ok, I gine still be on her tail.
lizzy see there you go insulting those who differ..now who got issues my dear tge world does not tevolve around u..people are free to differ..cool irself u will live longer. johnny apparently she doesnt like anyone who differs
by the way liz you didnt answer the question..answer dont insult
@Potty
So why you “attacking” me for posting freely and saying something that you don’t like to hear because it “differs”?
@Greengiant
Just tell me when and where? Will still be at Coffee Bean on Thursday at The Walk around 12:30.
lizzie my dear no..just voicing my opinion like you .but i will never insult or disrespect
anyone. i just want you to recognise people will differ..still waiting on my answer..i sincerly wish u well my dear but please dont get so hooked up on man or institutions ..the arm of flesh will fail you
@Potty: “dont get so hooked up on man or institutions….”
I believe you are referring to me since you mentioned my name at the start of your thread, so I will respond to your last post as I think it’s directed to me.
You do what is good for you. I shall do likewise. Don’t need your advice on whom to “hook up” to. Thanks…but no thank you.
Wishing you well too.
tut tut lizzie dont get in a tizzie
Patty , Liz would cus yah if she really gets mad. She three quarters mad already. Liz mouth is normally nasty, in first gear.
Johnny i think liz needs to understand that others have a right to an opinion .i hope she hasnt forgotten greenland
Are we back to where an individual is using multiple handles on BT, and is more or less talking to him/herself.