Donovan Stanberry - permanent secretary, Ministry of Agriculture and Lands

STANBERRY

"I have to disagree, I have to differ. The protection would only make sense if we had the level of production that could satisfy local demand. This is not the case, this is not the case.

"So I mean, yes, it's chicken and egg, but we have to deal with what we have right now. I take Dr. Jennings' point in terms of state intervention, but I also want to make the point that I genuinely don't believe that governments are inherently wicked. It is a matter of the resources available.

"There are fiscal realities, and I am saying that what we need to do is to engage and see how creatively we can find means and ways of solving the problem."

Dr. Paul Jennings - CEO of the Jamaica Dairy Development Board

JENNINGS

"At present, the price is at about US$2,300, whole milk and skimmed milk, maybe about a hundred or so dollars difference per ton.

"When you look at what that translates to in terms of the consumer, the consumer who buys whole milk powder in the 80-gram sachet is asked to pay somewhere between $38 and $39 per sachet for 80 grams. Now, that works out on a fluid equivalency basis — if you multiply that in the case of whole milk by a factor of about eight or so - that works out to $59.37 per litre, nearly $60.

We expect that within about next five years the price will go to $4,000 a ton for skimmed and whole milk powder. All it takes for the housewife to become totally indifferent to milk powder in sachets and fresh milk at current price of fresh milk, is for the international price to move to about US$3,100, and I see that happening certainly within the next three years."

Dr. Henry Rainford - managing director, Jamaica Livestock Association

RAINFORD

"I feel that the beef and dairy sector should enjoy no less protection than the chicken people enjoy in this country.

"I mean, here is a very basic food for people all over, and they enjoy 260 per cent protection, yet what do the beef people enjoy or the dairy? And, looking on the beef and dairy industry, very little imported content is necessary. Look at what we have to spend for corn and soya and all that sort of thing. Most of the lands here are suitable for rearing cattle."

Meet farmer Howard Warren from Free Hill, St. Ann. Here, he sprays his vegetable farm to get rid of common pests that affect his crops. He grows pak choi, carrot, pumpkin and other vegetables.

Left: Howard Warren prepares the pesticide mixture which he will apply to his crops. Centre: Mr. Warren sprays a field of carrots. Right: Spraying a pumpkin to get rid of caterpillars. - Ian Allen/Staff Photographer