THE question of importing milk was raised at last night’s hustings meeting.

Andrew Le Gallais (pictured) asked the 21 candidates whether they agreed with the suggestion by the Jersey Competition Regulatory Authority executive director, Chuck Webb, that there should be unlimited importation of milk into the Island or a States subsidy towards production to keep prices down.

Deputy Sarah Ferguson disagreed with importing milk and felt that the States should have ‘a firm financial footing before indulging in vast subsidies’. ‘I don’t think Chuck understands Jersey at all – his report on supermarkets was rubbish,’ she added.

Ian Le Marquand believes that Mr Webb ‘doesn’t understand the issue and how important the Jersey cow is to Jersey’. ‘If we allowed importation it would decimate and undercut the Jersey dairy herds which would be an absolute disaster,’ he said.

Chris Perkins rejected imports and backed a States subsidy, believing preservation is key as the world famous Jersey cow is ‘very important for tourism and the rural economy’.

Similarly Mike Higgins agreed with preserving the dairy herds and a supply of milk locally, and is in favour of a subsidy.

Montfort Tadier felt that importations might be ‘okay’ if not cheaper than Jersey milk, but added that his preference was not to have any foreign milk at all.

Trevor Pitman warned: ‘If we do start importing it could lead to wider issues with competition and the way it would be looked at by the EU.’

Senator Philip Ozouf believed that ‘historically there has been mismanagement at Jersey Dairy’. ‘I got thrown out for saying that a few years ago,’ he added, before praising the ‘huge progress’ made in the last few years to make it an efficient industry.

Deputy Alan Maclean firmly rejected importing milk, saying it was an ‘absolute no, no, no, and would be the beginning of the end’.

Nick Le Cornu said: ‘Of course townies want cheap milk and they’re not allowed it and that’s the contradiction. It is not easily explicable – it is just there.’

Mark Forskitt believed we have ‘to start learning to live with the resources we’ve got’.

Nick Palmer made the point that: ‘If you change the way you measure economic measurement then Jersey milk would become as cheap if not cheaper than milk that you import.’

And Deputy Alan Breckon mentioned that a public policy exemption under the competition law could effectively protect the dairy from imports.

Cliff Le Clercq said: ‘I don’t think we should be bringing in milk but the price should be fair and reasonable.’

Mick Pashley said that if the States could subsidise it then they should, adding: ‘We have the best milk in the world, why would we want to import it?’

Deputy Peter Troy remarked that he preferred Jersey milk and wouldn’t purchase others if they were on sale.

Senator Paul Routier didn’t agree with imports and believed the States had done well in subsidising the industry in recent years.

Adrian Walsh felt that Jersey Milk is making a big profit which doesn’t filter down to the general public or farmers.

Daniel Wimberley stated: ‘This is a matter of trade justice. We have the right to protect our Jersey cow. Free trade is not a god, competition is not a god – whatever Chuck Webb thinks.’

Jeremy Maçon completely disagreed with Mr Webb and said: ‘If you import more milk you will kill our dairy industry. If you do that we lose our cows. If we don’t have that, we lose our green fields.’

Deputy Geoff Southern explained that he was in favour of agricultural subsidies and not in favour of importing milk.

Senator Mike Vibert believes that the only way to ensure Jersey milk remains the Island’s only milk is if local milk producers and the dairy are as efficient as possible. ‘We are moving in the right direction,’ he added.