And today the Minister of Agriculture told us that the inconsistent supply is because the farmers don't tell the Ministry how much they are producing - so they can't plan properly on how to balance the permits for imports against the local produce:..
Hon. Gaspar Vega - Dep. Prime Minister/Min of Agriculture
"As much as the consumers would want only quality, we have encourage producers, but the same time we have to insist on producers that we have to do better. However, I would like to mention to everyone especially the farmers, that they have to be more cooperative. We are here to assure market not only to the big guys, to the small guys and to everyone but we have to have this line of communication. You cannot have an attitude because they are some farmers who have an attitude when you ask them how much have you planted? They say that's not your business. These are things that affect us in the ministry because rightly you would be the same one asking us, why don't we have enough carrots in our market? So it's a balancing act like you rightly said, but it's challenging and I want to say that it's not the first time. Almost every year at the beginning of production we have this situation and towards the end also because we don't know when the local production will be finished or when it will start - exact figures. It's difficult."
Jules Vasquez
"Now the specific allegation is that you have rewarded one of your supporters with a license which he then submarkets to people and that it is in fact this playing of political preference which has caused the imbalance in the local supply. How do you respond to that?"
Hon. Gaspar Vega
"I would say that's petty and I don't think I need to answer it."
Jules Vasquez
"Is it true?"
Hon. Gaspar Vega
"No I don't need to. I just won the elections."
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