Plea for Milk Cess to be implemented

Stakeholders within the island’s dairy industry are once again urging the Government to put in place the cess promised for milk products two years ago.

In his 2015 Financial Statement and Budgetary Proposals, Finance Minister Christopher Sinckler outlined that there would be the introduction of a five per cent cess levied on milk products containing no less than 60 per cent of liquid cow’s milk and fresh cow’s milk, and ten per cent for all other milks and milk substitute products.

However, Supply Manager at Pine Hill Dairy, Lorenzo Roach, expressed disappointment at the rate at which the cess was being implemented.

“Since it was first heralded in the 2015 budgetary proposals, its implementation still looms and while we profusely thank the Government for being so forward thinking, we imminently await its enactment and eagerly look forward to transferring some of the benefits to our consumers. In turn, it is hoped that said consumers will have a fervent response and that we will witness favourable changes in their consumption patterns.

We in turn as dairy processors, promise to innovate with our marketing initiatives and packaging options and to invest in sound research and development derived from market demand,” he said.

At the time, he was making remarks at the second PineHill Dairy’s Farmers’ Awards Ceremony at the Pine plant.

Pointing to the BHL Group’s acquisition by global beverage leaders AB InBev, he said that PineHill, like its sister companies, is going through a period of transition.

“This change has seen us conduct a comprehensive audit of our initiatives with a view to investing in that which will stand us in good stead in both the medium- to long-term,” he stated.

He also noted that the Farmers’ Rewards and Recognition programme was one such initiative fully endorsed, and will act as a foundation on which the island’s main milk processor will cement its association with the farming community.
(JMB)