A falling-out amid the executive of the Jamaica Egg Farmers’ Association (JEFA) over alleged abuse of government subsidy, as well as the subsequent sidelining of the sector lobby, has pitted President Roy Baker against his vice-president, Mark Campbell, and secretary Cheryl McLeod.
The Egg Farmers’ Association worked in tandem with the agriculture ministry and the Rural Agricultural Development Authority from mid-April until June in organising farmers’ markets.
But Baker’s gravest concern is that select egg producers appeared to be getting a bye to vend at farmers’ markets through favouritism.
With the special on eggs over, Baker said that the ministry verbally agreed to a minimum price of $600 per tray, but advertisements for endorsed farmers’ markets are still being printed with eggs selling at $500 per flat.
Meanwhile, permanent secretary in the agriculture ministry, Dermon Spence, said that he understood that all matters relating to the sale of eggs at sanctioned farmers’ markets were routed through JEFA.
