Responding to calls by CARICOM leaders for urgent dialogue on the rising cost for food, George Alcee says a review of existing tariff structures will help to inform solutions: “I will first ask the Member State governments to dilate upon the reasons that have caused the inflationary price for food, the cost of oil and other issues such as the diversion of food from mainstream consumption and the tariff structures because once the cost of oil increases it will impact on transportation and so on. So we need to review a number of things including the tariff structure.”

Alcee is also confident that increased support for the region’s agriculture sector, and the production and consumption of locally grown foods can also aid in reducing the increasing cost of food.  “Fundamentally we need to give support to local agriculture. We also need to examine the wholesomeness of certain foods that we import because basically we are importing Member States. We need to review some of the things that we import. We are importing a lot of subsidized commodities. We probably need to increase the tariff on some of the unwholesome ones and give full support to local agriculture fundamentally. The governments need to reposition agriculture to better contribute to economic activity and to supply the population with more healthy or wholesome food”.

The OECS Agricultural Economist explained that a significant amount of imported foods are not necessarily the healthiest. Citing concerns such as fat content, fatty acids, sugars, sodium and preservatives Alcee warned that another consequence could be increased costs for medical services.

Alcee further recommended research and development, technology transfer a family systems approach, a decrease in imports and public education to enhance the agriculture sector.

Among other responsibilities, George Alcee advises OECS Member States on agricultural matters.