Six containers of eggs are on the high seas headed to Barbados to supplement the dwindling local supply and ensure that with the Christmas season approaching, there is no shortage.
Minister of Agriculture, Food and Nutritional Security Indar Weir gave the assurance as he also disclosed that in addition to the imports of eggs and continued sourcing of chicken wings, he has asked local producers to ramp up hatching to ensure a continued supply of poultry.
The egg importation comes at a time when the local poultry industry has been hit by reduced output caused by the intense heat experienced in the country, and as consumers complain of difficulties sourcing eggs and poultry, although the Barbados Agricultural Society and the Barbados Egg and Poultry Producers’ Association have indicated there are no shortages.
Speaking in the House of Assembly on Tuesday on the Debt (Natural Disaster and Pandemic Deferment of Payment) (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill, 2023, Weir said one local supplier who previously met most of the egg requirements was forced to close shop because of the situation with the high mortality of birds.
“Never before has it been like this,” he told his colleagues.
The agriculture minister said the back-up plan was to import eggs “to avert any crisis” and this was evidence of the “leadership” approach which was required at this time.
Asserting that Barbados must be able to feed its people, and warning that water scarcity must not be taken lightly, Weir said that there were steps in motion to ensure that the country heads off any potential shortage of critical items.
“We have a problem globally, not just in Barbados, with water availability. Do not take it lightly,” he said.
He recalled attending a conference of the Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO) in June at which there was a presentation by Singapore which made it clear that the world’s direction is going to make it extremely challenging to provide food as the problems with drought and heavy rainfall continue.
The minister explained that Barbados still has not recovered from the price increases caused by the slowing down of cargo through the Suez Canal. This worsened with the Russian/Ukraine conflict which affected the price of grain, among other things.
“The drought situation is now hitting the Panama Canal. Ships are backed up and cannot get through. Those who have the financial wherewithal will end up pushing up costs to others,” he predicted.
Weir told the Chamber that these situations have a knock-on effect and could “interfere with the things we need most”.
“The things we need most will be food, for sure, and confidence,” he said.
“Government must be able to lead and exhibit confidence to a people who will only settle down when you convince them that you are providing the right kind of leadership. You must be able to feed people. A person will come at you in the roughest way if they can’t get access to food – and reasonable food.”
He reminded the Parliament that many times during the COVID-19 pandemic period, the government had to get out in the trenches to provide food for people because they were suffering. (SP)
