Shadow Minister for Agriculture, Lothan Cousins, is calling on the government to investigate chicken back import permits granted to companies with zero institutional involvement in the meat trade. He says the very dangerous practice is unfair as persons are importing premium chicken parts wrongfully, under the chicken back regime.
The Shadow Minister on Agriculture highlights the Integrity Commission Report on the import regime for chicken back and neck in Parliament in December 2020 where it cited fraud due to lack of transparency and accountability. Cousins says the report also referenced the illegal packing of dutiable premium parts, into containers declared as chicken backs or necks, which are non-dutiable.
He is insisting the government carry out some form of investigation, especially in the receipt and processing of applications. Companies with no affiliation with meat trade, convert the import permits to cash benefits, by selling to legitimate traders, Cousins said.
The Opposition went further to criticize the government’s expenditure on food imports.
Prime Minister Andrew Holness recently announced the government’s plan to increase the country’s agricultural output, to boost food security and productivity. Watch the full report below:
Reporter: Justin Graham.
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