Date: Sun 31-Oct-1993
Paper Page: 3A
Publication: Sunday Sun
FARMERS CHEERED yesterday when the agriculture minister told them Government is
considering closing its dairy farm and transferring the quotas to local
dairymen. The good news came from David Bowen at the farmers' annual general
meeting at Solidarity House.
The minister said discussions are being held among Barbados Agricultural
Development Marketing Corporation officials to turn over the Hope Dairy Farm
quotas to local dairymen. Hope Farm, according to Bowen, "has served its
developmental role and we are not sure we will continue much longer with
it".
President of the Beef and Dairy Producers Association Clarence Bellamy noted
that the only way such a move would benefit dairy farmers was if the quotas were
divided among the small dairy farmers. He said that Hope Farm, located at Spring
Hall, St. Lucy, was the fourth largest dairy farm on the island. It supplied the
Pine Hill Dairy with 328 000 kilograms of milk last year. Bellamy said it was
the feeling among several dairy farmers that at a time when milk quotas were
difficult to obtain by farmers, Government should not be competing with them. He
said after the minister's comments that some small farmers will be lobbying
Government to act swiftly in transferring the quotas.
Bellamy said it is believed that Government may transform the St. Lucy Farm
for beef cattle production. Government will now look at restructuring a local
processing plant and he urged farmers to produce fruits and meats for it.
Bowen said he wants to increase Government aid to the Barbados Agricultural
Society (BAS). In 1991 that aid was at $240 000, but this year it fell to $40
000.
On other topics, the minister agreed with farmers that the abattoir is
"less than adequate." He said his ministry is discussing financing
with the European Investment Bank to build a new one in St. Thomas. Farmers have
asked for a separate abattoir to butcher pigs and another for
general livestock slaughtering.
Bowen also invited the BAS to re-introduce the Agricultural Exhibition at
Queen's Park. He said, in terms of popularity, that the event was second only to
Christmas morning festivities there.