Cabinet Minute Shows Details of Agreement To Defer Egg Price Increases

12

MINUTE

From:
Secretary to the Cabinet

To:
Mr. Walter Christopher, Ministry of Agriculture, Lands, Fisheries and the Blue Economy

Date:
20th September, 2024

Ref. No.:
C.S. 7/4 (a)


Suspension of Proposed Egg Price Increases and Tax Waivers for the Importation of Eggs

Cabinet held extensive discussions with executive members of the Antigua and Barbuda Layer Farmers Association to consider the publicly stated position of the Association to increase the wholesale price for eggs produced locally by $2 per dozen. This will result in retail prices up to $18 per dozen.

Cabinet considered the merits of the financial information presented and concluded that the rationale was unsubstantiated and unjustified with inadequate data.

Cabinet, therefore, at its meeting held on Wednesday, 18th September, 2024, decided as follows:

  • Any consideration of an increase in the price of locally produced eggs shall be deferred for the next sixty (60) days to allow sufficient time for the Ministry of Agriculture and the Ministry for Trade along with the Antigua and Barbuda Layer Farmers Association to conduct a cost analysis relative to the proposed increase and make a recommendation to Cabinet thereafter.

Unfortunately, the Layers Association has refused to cooperate with the Cabinet, forcing the following decisions:

i. To suspend for the next sixty (60) days, ALL taxes and duties applicable on the importation of eggs.

ii. The removal of the requirement for obtaining any licence for the importation of eggs into Antigua and Barbuda over the next sixty (60) days.

iii. The establishment of a Poultry Development Board to regulate the standards, including pricing, for the industry.

The above decisions were taken to contain escalating egg prices in the interim pending the analysis of the domestic production costs and the implementation of strategies to increase production efficiency and improved sanitary and phytosanitary conditions in the domestic egg market.

Signed,
Secretary to the Cabinet

cc:
Honourable Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, Corporate Governance and Public Private Partnerships
Honourable Minister of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Barbuda Affairs
Honourable Minister of Agriculture, Lands, Fisheries and the Blue Economy
Permanent Secretary, Foreign Affairs, Trade and Barbuda Affairs
Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Finance, Corporate Governance and Public Private Partnerships
Comptroller of Customs
Commissioner of Inland Revenue

KL/ms

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12 COMMENTS

  1. See how sharp they are at bringing down the hammer on small Antiguan businesses? Yet when the large ones are known to be “robbing’ our taxes, they say they don’t want to rock the boat.
    Remember these are the same ones who say Antiguans are business averse but how can it be encouraging to get into small business when your govt tries to harm rather than help? Soon we will lose egg production, hammering another naíl in the coffin of any production being Antiguan.
    I am sorry for any Antiguan who did not believe that electing ABLP would
    lead to these kinds of consequences.

  2. The caption doesn’t match the content. I see no agreement here…you people are a piece of work. My advice to the Antigua and Barbuda layers association is take the matter to COTED and then to the CCJ. It’s about somebody hold the government responsible

  3. There are some who believes that every pronouncements coming out of Cabinet is law. While Cabinet dictates government policy, at times it requires parliamentary support to give it legal effect. An uninformed public lacking knowledge is a politician greatest asset make them look smart, bright. Also keep in mind that it is the Cabinet who report to the Parliament and not the other way around Section 70 of the constitution

  4. Well simple….stop giving your money to ” the large ones are known to be “robbing’ our taxes”.

    It’s your money…spend it how you see if, but if someone keeps gouging your eyes out why go back? Don’t forget…you only have two eyes….hahaha

  5. The problem is…

    I don’t have a problem with the farmers raising their prices citing their concerns. We know it’s hot and we know feed has gone up. What I have a problem with is the gorcery stores tacking on 20-30% so that they can make a profit when they aren’t doing the work.

    Folkss….support your local farmers PERSONALLY. DO NOT BUY from the grocery stores. Get to know your farmers. They want to meet you.

  6. @Dion Pelle September 21, 2024 At 8:15 am
    Educate yourself. Laws are made in Parliament. Cabinet set government policy.
    Sad that you guys speak and write without knowing these things.

  7. One should remember, that since it’s now a free for all to import eggs, the egg farmers can change their business model and start an egg importation company if it is not feasible to produce eggs. Simple as that. They know the market and they know where to go and buy eggs. Afterall it was their proposal to the minister when they realize that they could not meat the demand during the SIDS conference, that they’ll be allowed to import eggs. So now they have the authority to do so. Let the War on eggs begin and let the fittest survive. I trust the Consumers to be at the winning end.

  8. @Zackie September 21, 2024 At 5:25 am
    Aren’t you glad that someone is fighting for the POOR. Do you agree that the poor should be paying $18.00 for a dozen eggs with justification by the egg farmers. All they were ask is a sixty days hold in order for audits to take place. Is that too much to ask. Perhaps sixty days is too long so get it done in thirty days. Bit at least show your numbers. Don’t just say you have higher costs. Show it. Let your books speak for themselves. But I predicted that this would not happen. They will never show you audited financial statements. That would expose their tax liability to the IRD.

  9. @Support farmers September 21, 2024 At 9:57 am
    I will always support Local, but not to my own detriment. That is why many local businesses are not making it. They fail to do “GOOD BUSINESS”. Syrians and Lebanese come and taking over in all the economic sectors. When I see how we lost many local businesses, to name a few: Food City, Shop Right, Bargain Centre, and now we are watching Kens Club and TCM, The Kennedy’s closing shop. Just like ABI Bank
    Sad, very sad.

  10. @Zackie, you uppites are truly double tonqued, reminding of the Scribes and Pharisees . When GB went after Sandals over holding onto our taxes, you argued it was unfair and saught to protect them. The same happaned when an owner abandoned his yatch putting our port at risk. In terms of eggs ,last week I contacted a local farmer to get some eggs wholesale. I was quoted 12.00 per doz and delivered to my home. Have no doubt I will be buying my eggs from him, in an effort to support my local farmer.

  11. @tenman September 22, 2024 At 8:54 am
    tenman you should know by now, that it doesn’t matter what Gaston does, Good or Bad, they will always be against him. That is why they look stupid. Because in cases where they should applaud him they criticize him. In other word they do not stand on any principle. They only stand against Gaston Alphonso Browne. Pure hatred for the man.

Comments are closed.