ST ELIZABETH, Jamaica – Opposition spokesman JC Hutchinson has called on the Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries Derrick Kellier to take quick action to resolve the impasse involving operators of the Appleton Sugar factory and fish producers, Aljix Jamaica.

 Protestors have been blocking roads since the start of the week because of a protracted delay in the start of the Appleton sugar crop said to be the result of a Court Injunction brought by Aljix Jamaica. The court action relates to the alleged release of industrial effluent from the sugar factory into the Black River.

 Algix Jamaica which says it has lost large quantities of fish as a result of the industrial waste relies on water from the river for its fish farm.

 “I am calling on the Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries to break his silence on this matter and bring the parties together to resolve this very serious situation,” Hutchinson told the Jamaica Observer by telephone Friday afternoon.

 “It’s as if the Minister is not aware of what is going on in the agricultural sector,” said Hutchinson.

 Head of the St Elizabeth police, Supt Lanford Salmon told the Jamaica Observer Friday that as has happened for much of the week, police personnel were again tied down clearing road blocks in northern St Elizabeth on Friday.  The blockages were especially plentiful in the vicinity of the fish farm at Barton Isles in Newton, he said.

 Salmon renewed calls for protestors to desist from breaking the law by setting up road blocks.   

“I am appealing to residents to please stop blocking the roads, you are breaking the law,” Salmon said.

 He called on the protestors, various stakeholders and the authorities to resort to “dialogue” to resolve the issues.  

Garfield Myers