by Linda Straker
- Petition signed by over 300 farmers
- Will be presented by Farming and Fishing communities senator Roderick St Clair
- First time in over 25 years that a petition will be submitted to Parliament
A petition concerning the cost of feed to livestock farmers is scheduled to be placed on the order paper of both Houses of Parliament at upcoming sittings.
Signed by over 300 farmers, the petition which will be presented by Senator for the Farming and Fishing communities Roderick St Clair, is requesting a review of the monopoly arrangement between the lone flour and animal feed mill — Caribbean Agro Industries — and Government.
The arrangement is more than 40 years old, and it basically provides for Caribbean Agro Industries which is currently owned by ADM Caribbean Agro Industries, a US company. Over the years, farmers and livestock producers especially those involved in poultry have continuously complained about the cost of products from the company and are of the belief that the arrangement is a violation of the Caricom Treaty.
“We the undersigned farmers of the State of Grenada, Carriacou and Petite Martinique hereby petition for the review of the existing agreement between the Government of Grenada and the Caribbean Agro Industries Limited so that farmers can have more affordable feed,” said the petition which will be presented to members of the Upper House at the upcoming session. “We, therefore, seek the support of the legislative and your petitioners as in duty bound, we ever pray.” The petition was signed by full time and part-time farmers as well as those involved in husbandry.
It will be presented to members of the Lower House or House of Representatives after it is presented to the 13-member Senate. After it is presented to members, Chester Humphrey President of the Senate will decide the next step.
The next step can be members of both Houses discussing the petition or members simply acknowledging the petition as a document appealing to the authority with respect to the signatories’ desire for a review.
This is the first time in over 25 years that a petition will be submitted to the Houses of Parliament.
