This Is Guernsey

By Nick Mann

THOUSANDS have rallied behind the milkmen in their fight against Commerce and Employment. At the Dairy yesterday, the Guernsey Milk Retailers’ Association handed over a petition and letters of support to Deputy Mary Lowe, who has lodged an amendment opposing the department’s plans.

She described the proposals as ‘crazy’ and a retrograde step.

Shake-ups to the way milk is sold will be debated by the States at its meeting from tomorrow.

GMRA president Jason Piriou called on deputies to do the right thing and back Deputy Lowe’s amendment.

‘We did a petition when the Commerce and Employment proposals first came out and we’ve now done another one to raise awareness and let the public air their views and their distaste for the proposals,’ said Mr Piriou.

There were 2,200 signatories, with more expected because not all milkmen had returned them.

‘There’s an awful lot of spin coming from Commerce and Employment all the time, but at the end of the day it’s for States members to decide. They have the power to make these decisions and we will rely on them.’

Mr Piriou maintained that if the department’s proposals went through, it would spell the end of the successful delivery rounds currently in place.

‘Our customers have been really supportive all the way since 2005, when the initial proposals were made public. I would like to thank them for their help and concerns.’

Deputy Lowe said that people wanted to ensure milk retailers were looked after.

‘They cannot see the reasoning behind Commerce and Employment’s proposals to be able to deliver anytime, anywhere.’

She was hopeful the States would back her amendment.

Deputy Lowe added that it was a prescriptive proposal that would ensure zones and licences were in place - a system that had worked well in the past.

‘It made rounds far more efficient and viable - to do a retrograde step is unbelievable.’

Deputy Lowe’s husband owned a milk round in the 1980s. She said that before zoning came in, he covered 44 miles in two parishes - that was reduced to 16 - and milkmen used to follow each other up the same roads delivering.

Commerce and Employment’s proposal for anyone to be able to deliver in any parish was crazy, she said.

‘I just think the milk retailers have been treated appallingly over the last few years, with a total disregard for the amount of money invested in the milk rounds.’

She added that a situation whereby milkmen covered the whole island was not good economically or environmentally.

‘I don’t think there are any problems whatsoever changing with this amendment - it’s a States project, a States service. From the advice I’ve had, speaking to various advocates, they don’t believe there is a problem going down this route, which the minister for Commerce and Employment described as protectionism.’

She added that States members were better informed since a GMRA presentation.

‘There’s no doubt some of the information we’ve been given by Commerce and Employment is inaccurate.’

Article posted on 24th April, 2007 - 12.00am