Ja: Tariff or not tariff?

THE GOVERNMENT is contemplating a reduction or removal of the hefty 260 per cent tariff it imposed on imported chicken and chicken parts in June 2002.

This, according to Agriculture Minister Roger Clarke, is being reviewed as a counteractive measure geared towards protecting consumers from the recent price hikes in native poultry.

The imposition of the duty, which was criticised and opposed by United States Ambassador to Jamaica Sue Cobb and local traders, was implemented with the assurance from local chicken producers that not only could they adequately supply the market but were confident there would not be much if any increase to the price of chicken. That promise would, however, be shortlived, considering the more than four times the price of chicken has gone up over the past 15 months. There has also been a reported shortage of supplies in recent times.