Govt will tackle rising food prices

LEGAL AND CONSUMER Affairs Minister Christine Kangaloo yesterday assured that Government is working aggressively to deal with the socio-economic effects of rising food prices. Kangaloo has been appointed to chair a special committee to examine all the issues affecting food prices and develop solutions to deal with them. Other members of the committee are Health Minister John Rahael, Labour Minister Danny Montano and ambassador Jerry Narace.

Addressing the launch of the Supermarket Association of TT’s (SATT) website at the Hilton Trinidad yesterday, Kangaloo said the fundamentals of the committee’s operations are currently being addressed and the committee will hold its first meeting by the end of this week. She said the committee will “look at the situation as whole and see what measures can be implemented.” Asked why Agriculture Minister Jarrette Narine was not a member of the committee given its stated mandate, Kangaloo said another Government minister will be joining the committee and she will speak to Manning shortly about the final composition of the committee. Sources speculated yesterday that Narine would be that minister.

Kangaloo said the committee has already obtained information on factors which influence food prices. The ministry’s Deputy Permanent Secretary Phillipa Forde said the Fair Trade Bill which is being piloted by Trade and Industry Minister Ken Valley in the House of Representatives will have great benefits for local consumers once it is successfully implemented. She explained that the legislation will restrain anti-competitive behaviour by businesses because this negatively impacts on the ability of consumers to purchase goods and services. “Consumers benefit when competition flourishes,” Forde said. Kangaloo said TT’s existing consumer laws do not provide adequate protection and Government will ensure that new and effective legislation is put in place. The minister added that the Prices Advisory Committee will meet at the end of the month to discuss the Green Paper.