Minister slams retailer over milk law row

Deputy Stewart, who became embroiled in an online spat with Nigel Staples also made clear that the Milk (Control) (Guernsey) Ordinance, 2016 will only ban the importation of fresh cows milk, but does not affect the supply of other products, such as goats milk, or products such as soya milk or other milk substitutes manufactured from plant material such as almonds and hazelnuts.

It also does not apply to evaporated and condensed milk, flavoured milk, and pet milk and there is provision for Commerce and Employment to exempt other milk products – essentially those that the Dairy cannot supply.

Mr Staples, however, has defended his actions saying he admits he got that 'bit of the story wrong', but it was because the department had lacked clarity regarding what would and would not be banned.

'I can say that Nigel Staples acted totally irresponsibly and for him to scare people who have medical conditions and causing them to worry, is despicable,' said Deputy Stewart.

'This is a real misuse of social media, he has behaved disgracefully to scare people unnecessarily.

'He is someone who always acts against the best interest, in my view, of the Guernsey dairy industry.'

The States approved the new ordinance last week.