PM Announces No Reduction In Banana Prices

Contact: Prime Minister's Press Secretary

October 31, 2001 - Prime Minister Dr. Kenny D. Anthony has announced that banana prices for St. Lucian and Windward Islands banana farmers will not be reduced for the rest of this year.

The Prime Minister made the statement following a meeting in St. Vincent and the Grenadines Tuesday, to review a proposal by WIBDECO to reduce the price paid to farmers by ten cents, for the rest of the year.

According to Dr. Anthony, "following the emergency meeting summoned by St. Vincent Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves, WIBDECO has now agreed not to proceed with the proposal to reduce the price at this time."

Dr. Gonsalves, who is the Caricom and Windward Islands lead spokesman on Bananas, summoned the emergency meeting at the request of the St. Lucia Prime Minister.

Prime Minister Anthony, who returned from yesterday's meeting with the good news, said: "A reduction in prices paid to banana farmers at this time would be devastating for the banana industry in St. Lucia and the other islands, especially given the problems being faced in the tourism industry following the September 11 events in the USA."

According to Dr. Anthony: "It is vital that farmers be encouraged to increase their production to meet our quotas on the market. Any further decrease in the price they are paid at this time for their fruit would be most discouraging. In fact, it would be calamitous. I am delighted that this possibility has been averted.

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