Barbados Today

The Barbados Agricultural Development and Marketing Corporation (BADMC) says it will not back off from a study commissioned to determine the impact of poultry importation on the local industry.

Its insistence follows a request by Barbados Agricultural Society (BAS) CEO James Paul for the parties involved to hold talks on the issue rather than pursue the study being conducted by University of West Indies.

“In the interim, BADMC will not engage in any posturing, debate, discussion or media campaign, designed to detract from, derail, front-run or otherwise influence the UWI study, and commend the same approach to you,” said Chairman of the BADMC board of directors Shawn Tudor, in a letter to Paul, a copy of which was released to the media.

“BADMC will not be diverted or shunted from the path that we have set ourselves in resolving this matter. We will rely on the input of scientific and factual information from the competent professionals of the UWI.

“The discussion that you are suggesting seems unlikely to assist, clarify or resolve any issue; it has not done so previously. On the face of it, under the circumstances, it may only serve to add to the ambiguity and ill-advised commentary that currently prevails.”

The parties are at odds over the importation of a container carrying just over 24,000 kilograms of chicken wings.

The BADMC said it sanctioned the importation because poultry farmers simply could not provide all the market needs. However, the BAS CEO is adamant that the corporation breached protocol by failing to consult with poultry growers prior to the importation.

Paul Enterprises Ltd – the company that was bringing in the shipment – has agreed to waive its right to import a second container pending the completion of the UWI study at the end of this month.