Garth Rattray
THE JAMAICA Livestock Association (JLA) and the Jamaica Egg Farmer's Association (JEFA) are currently at odds over the importation and distribution of eggs. Our local egg farmers feel wronged, cheated, belittled, ignored and vulnerable (unprotected).
The circumstance surrounding the disagreement highlights the need for a system of checks and balances within our government ministries. The JLA Poultry Committee (comprising of two farmer representatives, the National Data Bank, McGann Farms, the Managing Director of JLA, the chief marketing officer from the Ministry of Agriculture and other representatives from various government agencies) used to represent our egg farmers.
It was, however, felt that this representation was inadequate and in June 1998 the JEFA was formed. This body is comprised of small, medium and large egg producers representing 65-70 per cent of the national layer flock.
The JEFA is funded through grants from organisations such as the Canadian Programme for Economic Competitiveness (CPEC), the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) and through contributions from Hi-Pro Feeds, Newport Mills and pullet-producing companies (Jamaica Egg Services).
The JEFA has well-established credibility. It is a member of the Caribbean Poultry Association, and a major participant in the Egg Standards draft proposal for the Caribbean. It has organised and sponsored several symposia, workshops, training opportunities and even oversaw the export of eggs to Trinidad in 2003 and 2004. Through its membership, it has invested billions of dollars in the Jamaican egg industry and has always kept the island (including the tourist industry) supplied with good, reasonably priced, locally produced table eggs.
From what I understand, the JEFA has proven itself to be the egg farmer's voice at the national level. The JLA Poultry Committee deals with both the broiler and layer industries. Apparently, its only interest in the egg industry is in egg importation. Between 1988 and 2003, the JLA has been the only entity allowed legally to import eggs into Jamaica.
'IVAN' HAVOC
Hurricane Ivan wreaked havoc on the poultry industry so plans were formulated to import eggs to cover the shortfall. To this end, the JEFA obtained permits to import eggs from the Ministry of Agriculture's Vet Division for the first time in October 2004 and was committed to paying the stipulated 40 per cent duty; (the pre-hurricane duty on eggs was 86 per cent). Here is where things became strange: The JLA requested and obtained a full duty waiver on imported eggs (thus denying local egg farmers the needed protection against unfairly competitive foreign eggs). The JLA was also granted permits to import 16 containers - 14,400 cases of eggs (61.5 per cent of the total granted), while the JEFA was only granted permits to import 10 containers - 9,000 cases of eggs (38.5 per cent of the total granted). So, although the JLA has no stake in our egg industry, it has been afforded special treatment by way of a customs duty waiver and was also allowed to import 61.5 per cent of the eggs.
Although our resilient egg industry rebounded far more quickly than anticipated, the JLA has been allowed to continue importing eggs even though the local production levels are back to normal. An appeal to the Ministry of Finance has so far been fruitless.
Such policies, principles and practices do not reflect the burning need for our government to encourage and facilitate local production and entrepreneurship. We need a system that ensures that all decisions are made on our behalf and in the best interest of the entire nation, instead of one particular group. Preferential treatment defeats the entire process of fair-play and democracy, which are the cornerstone of our existence.
Garth A. Rattray is a medical doctor with a family practice.
