AN INDEPENDENT review of the dairy industry is needed, according to a former Dairy manager.

The States will tomorrow debate whether to give exclusive distribution rights to milk retailers, but Deputy Andrew Le Lievre wants to put a time limit on the arrangement.

Acceptance of his amendment to Commerce and Employment’s proposals would mean that whatever system the States backs would stay in place only until the end of 2015 and a comprehensive report on all aspects of the industry would have to be prepared and put before the States by the end of 2013.

Deputy Le Lievre was Dairy manager between 2000 and 2005 and said he was not keen on voting for either Commerce and Employment’s proposals or Deputy Mary Lowe’s amendment for full exclusivity within defined rounds.

‘Both of them are open-ended and in effect deliver exclusivity in perpetuity. In business terms, that is not sensible – it has to be limited,’ said Deputy Le Lievre.