By Robert Hart, Staff ReporterDEPUTY OPPOSITION spokesman on agriculture, Devon McDaniel, has accused the Jamaica Agricultural Society (JAS) of being tainted with politics and subject to corruption.
Speaking during his 2003/2004 Sectoral Debate presentation at yesterday's sitting of the House of Representatives, Mr. McDaniel said the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) was disturbed by Government's decision to provide $10 million in funding for a new central marketing system for the JAS.
"The lack of confidence in the JAS controlling the marketing system is due to the fact that the JAS has no means of monitoring the fund properly," Mr. McDaniel said.
RAISES CONCERN
He continued: "Mr. Speaker, you and I know that the JAS is tainted with politics in that a People's National Party (PNP) Senator (Norman Grant) and others are at the head of the JAS which raises concern that whatever is going to be distributed may not be done in a fair manner to all farmers.
"A farmer is a farmer, whether JLP or PNP, and must be assisted if a genuine need arises, no politics involved," he added.
It was not the first time Senator Grant's suitability for the role of JAS president has come under scrutiny. Just three months ago, during his run for the seat, the coffee farmer and member of the Senate was compelled to respond to suggestions that his presence in the race was tainted by political activism.
"It is said that ...the whole question of the fact that I am appointed to the Senate ...whether or not that will affect my ability to serve the sector. I say no, the fact that I am in the Senate will enhance my ability to serve the agriculture sector," Senator Grant said during the June launch of his campaign.
