Growers' rate hike 'like asking turkeys to pay for Christmas'

AN ATTEMPT to subject St Sampson's growers to a five-fold increase in rates was a 'vindictive' move, according to the Guernsey Growers' Association president.

Alan Dorey, pictured, said as the move had not been widely announced but only placed in La Gazette Officielle, it had been a 'rather under the carpet' move by the douzaine.

The proposal would have seen rates rise from £40 per acre of glass to £200 and was defeated by 58 votes to 25 at the annual parish meeting after a heated debate.

Sarnia Seeds Ltd owner Robert Plumley agreed growers were shouldering an unfair burden.

'It is like asking turkeys to pay for Christmas. There is no justification in my opinion and the douzaine is not prepared to recognise that. There are 3,700 householders, any increase to domestic ratepayers will be £2 per annum.'