POLITICAL interference hampered progress in resolving the issue of milk licensing, Commerce and Employment minister Carla McNulty Bauer told the States yesterday.

She faced a barrage of questions in the House over progress on resolving the stalemate with milk retailers. Deputy Mary Lowe (pictured) led the questioning into the saga that has been ongoing since the department announced in September 2005 controversial changes to the way milk was to be distributed.

In April last year, Deputy Lowe placed a successful amendment that meant a system of licences stipulating zones for each round would be reinforced, which was intended to secure the future of doorstep deliveries.

Commerce and Employment had wanted to allow licensed retailers to deliver anywhere in the island. In February Deputy Lowe accused Commerce and Employment of moving the goalposts and stalling over resolving the issue. She also claimed that the minister had previously stated she did not believe States members had known what they were voting for when they agreed to the amendment.

The Commerce and Employment minister said that political interference had served only to prolong and disrupt proceedings.