Minister pressured over supermarkets' food imports

The economic development minister says the sustainability of local food producers is high on the government agenda.

John Shimmin gave the assurance in response to a bleak warning from the boss of Ramsey Bakery over the impact on his business of cheap bread imports.

Bakery managing director Jim Duncan has written to the minister to outline fears local producers could be driven out of business as a result of heavy promotion of cheaper imports by large retailers in the Island, Tesco and the Co Op. 

He raised concerns after last week's announcement that two bakeries in the Channel Islands are to close in September as a result of competition from UK multiples. 

Mr Duncan also claims the bakery is struggling to meet the rising price of flour from Laxey Glen Mill, which he claims 'is calculated purely as a consequence of lack of volume'. Ramsey Bakery purchases 90 per cent of the flour mill's output. 

Speaking on the Mandate programme this morning, Mr Shimmin  promised to take up the issue again with the supermarkets and urge them to be supportive of local business.

He politicians have a part to play - but so do consumers: