Poultry processors cry foul

JAMAICA - Local poultry producers Jamaica Broilers (JB) and Caribbean Broilers (CB) have both charged that chicken parts were being brought into the Jamaican market under the radar of customs, with severe impact on the local industry.

The vice-president of Broilers, Christopher Levy, said chicken leg quarters were being imported under the disguise as chicken backs, which attract no duty.

"The parts are being packed as chicken backs and it is leg quarters that are actually in the containers," Levy told the Business Observer yesterday.

" It is an ongoing problem but it has worsened in the last three months," he charged. "Small farmers and producers are under severe pressure - baby chick and feed sales are down 20 per cent. They have a lot of product in inventory so they have had to cut back on production."

Source: jamaicaobserver.com

22 June 2005