Poultry farmers are today breathing a sigh of relief with the arrival of 1000 bags of feed from neighbouring Trinidad & Tobago to avoid the possible death of thousands of chicken.
According to President of the Grenada Association of Poultry Producers (GAPP), Jason Phillip, the vessel “Liberation” is due in at around 8.00 a.m. on the St. George’s Port to deliver the feed to be distributed within hours to poultry farmers.
He praised the National Flour Mill of Trinidad & Tobago for coming to their rescue at very short notice due to the closure of Caribbean Agro Industries by government after some of its employees were struck by the coronavirus.
Phillip said that the Ministry of Trade headed by Oliver Joseph has given permission for the necessary import licence to be granted to GAPP to facilitate the shipment of the feed as Caribbean Agro has a monopoly for feed on the local market.
He spoke of being hopeful that everything will run smoothly on the Port including the necessary co-operation of the Customs Department as the association is still to have in its hands the relevant licence for the shipment of the feed
He disclosed that the feed that is coming into the island will last for only five days but that the association has made arrangements for another shipment to come in on Wednesday which should last farmers for another one to two weeks.
Caribbean Agro industries is said to be making arrangements with its sister companies in the region to bring in feed to supply the local market in keeping with its monopoly status.
Phillip who is from La Borie in St. Paul’s has issued a release on the arrangements made for poultry producers to get their supplies shortly after Liberation docks at the St. George’s Port.
The release said: Please be guided that the entire operation for feed delivery will be managed as per the STRICT guidelines for COVID-19. All are asked to conform to the established and published requirements when in public.
The vessel is scheduled to arrive Port St. George’s at 8.00 a.m. and offloading by the Port Authority will commence at 9.00 a.m. Trucks will be loaded and make their way to designated drop off points as follows:
(1). NATIONAL STADIUM PARKING LOT AREA, ST. GEORGE
All persons from the parishes of St. John and St. George are asked to be in an organised cue from 10.00 a.m to receive delivery of your ordered feeds.
(2). LA SAGESSE PLAYING FIELD, ST. DAVID
All persons in the parish of St David are asked to be in an organised cue in the vicinity of the playing field. It is anticipated for the supplies to arrive there at 11:30a.m.
(3). PROGRESS PARK, ST. ANDREW
All persons in the southern region in the parish of St Andrew are asked to be in an organised cue in the vicinity of the playing field. It is anticipated for the supplies to arrive there at 1:00p.m.
(4). PLAINS PLAYING FILED, ST. PATRICK
All other persons are asked to be in an organised cue at the warehouse building directly behind of the playing field.
Please note that due to the limited operation hours, the convoy will not wait for anyone not present onsite.
Please exercise patience as many things can cause unexpected delays.
If you do not have a means to access any of these locations in a timely manner please give us a call tomorrow.
Remember social distancing in full effect. Stay in your vehicles and have your payments handy”.