Dairy report gives hope to the island's farmers
FARMERS in the island can have confidence in the industry's future survival, the Commerce and Employment minister has said.
Following the release of a report which would overhaul the existing milk laws, increase protection for Guernsey milk, commercialise the Dairy and scrap the fixed retail milk price which is currently £1.11 a litre, Kevin Stewart said the industry could be more certain of a positive future if its report's 10 recommendations were adopted.
'I think this is a very worthwhile report which has taken a lot of time to complete, but it is meaningful and thorough.
This is about sustainability and farmers being able to have certainty in the future. We are looking after our indigenous Guernsey cow, which is a rare and endangered species.
This is also a chance for supermarkets to offer two-for-one deals and similar, and that is going to benefit consumers.
This is really a conjoined plan, and it needs all 10 points. It will be a success if we can preserve the breed and control milk imports.'
Julian Ogier, who has farmed for 20 years, welcomed the report but did not want to say the industry had a golden future just yet.
Cutting the direct subsidy was all well and good, but if it was not made up through an increase elsewhere, it could store up problems, he warned.
