Save the chicken farmers

THE EDITOR: I asked someone to type this letter for me so I could let the public know that life will be pure hell for me and my children if the government put into effect the reduction in the duty for imported chicken. I am a single mother with three children and I work at a pluck shop in McBean Couva. I make just enough money to take care of the children and meet my expenses. Some people who buy chicken give me a little tip now and then. The owner of the pluck shop told me that if businessmen are allowed to import chicken at low costs, it would put the pluck shops out of business since chicken farmers would not be able to compete with the importers.

I know that poor people should be able to buy chicken but if the chicken is imported at cheap prices it would mean that many people will lose their jobs since the farmers will have to close their farms and the pluck shops will not get chicken to sell. How does the Government expect us to send our children to school and meet our expenses? Five of my neighbours are employed in chicken farms and they are scared of losing their jobs. They also have families to mind. What will happen to all of us if this measure is put into effect? Please think of our plight.

SAVITRI MANMOHAN
Couva