The Opposition is labelling Government's decision to allow the importation of chicken parts for the Christmas season a "retrograde step".

Roger Clarke, opposition spokesman on agriculture, said in a release yesterday that based on all indications from local suppliers, there was no shortage of chicken meat.

"The poultry industry has the potential and was well on its way to producing 100 per cent of the needs of the country, so why is the Government moving to undermine the forward progress being made by the industry?" he queried.

Clarke is also calling for the disclosure of the names of the companies that will be importing the chicken meat.

Efforts to receive the list of some 20 companies from Agriculture Minister Dr Christopher Tufton were futile. Calls to the minister were unanswered.

Minister out of town

The Gleaner was informed that Tufton was out of town at a staff retreat.

Clarke said: "In the interest of transparency, openness and good governance, I am calling on the minister to disclose the names of those companies that have been granted licences to import the chicken meat."

The Jamaica Manufacturers' Association (JMA) has also expressed dissatisfaction with the decision to import leg quarters.

Agreeing with industry players, the JMA said it was of the view that local producers were able to meet the demand of the season, which is projected to be less than previous years based on the economic downturn and a reduction in consumer spending.

The JMA said this pronouncement to import chicken meat was contrary to the mandate of the agriculture ministry to 'Eat What We Grow and Grow What We Eat'.

"The Government must stop sending mixed signals to the country, saying that they are for production, yet acting otherwise," stated the JMA.

In its defence, in a release issued yesterday, the ministry stated that the decision was made to ensure an adequate supply of chicken meat during the Christmas period.

The ministry in November issued import permits for approximately 625,000 kilograms of chicken leg quarters into the island.

Projected windfall

Based on chicken meat historical consumption data, sales of day-old chickens and data from the producers, the projected shortfall would be approximately two million kilograms, including more than 800,000kg for the last quarter of 2008, read the ministry's release.

The imported chicken parts would attract a 40 per cent duty to allow for local producers to compete while offering an alternative to the consumer, the ministry said.

shelly-ann.thompson@gleanerjm.com