MILK retailers were reeling yesterday after the States rejected an attempt to give them exclusivity over delivering local dairy products such as cheese.

In doing so, members effectively endorsed Commerce and Employment’s approach, which minister Carla McNulty Bauer had argued would ensure the Dairy could market its products effectively.

Debate continues today with two amendments still on the table. Proposer of yesterday’s amendment Deputy Mary Lowe decried Deputy McNulty Bauer’s tactics of asking more than a dozen questions in her closing speech and warned that the States might now face compensation claims.

‘It’s a bad decision today because the milk retailers rely on the commercial and retail outlets to subsidise doorstep delivery,’ she said.

Deputy Lowe (pictured) had rejected the opportunity of a 15-minute recess to get answers to the questions.

Rounds would no longer be viable, she warned. Deputy Lowe said the department had failed to provide revenue figures to justify its case.