Stubborn millers blacklisted

GOVERNMENT has warned that it will blacklist ‘stubborn’ millers who are not reducing mealie meal prices after accessing subsidised maize from the Food Reserve Agency (FRA).

Ministry of Agriculture Permanent Secretary, Sangowayo Zyambo said he would be having a meeting with the Millers Association of Zambia next week over the escalated mealie meal prices.

Mr Zyambo reiterated that the millers were to blame for the high mealie meal prices as they were accessing subsidised maize but not reducing commodity prices as per agreement.

He said subsidising of FRA maize was meant to cushion consumers but that at the moment it was only the millers who were benefitting.

Mr Zyambo warned that millers exploiting consumers risked being blacklisted from accessing FRA maize for two years.

“The millers who have accessed FRA maize are being unfair because that maize is meant to cushion the consumer, especially the vulnerable people. It is not meant to subsidise the business of the millers but now they are the ones benefitting,” he said.

Mr Zyambo said the policy on subsidising maize through FRA would have to be relooked at to make it viable and ensure it was a success.

He said the ministry was looking at the mealie meal issue critically, and that it had already started meeting relevant stakeholders to rectify the situation.

And Mr Zyambo said his ministry was working closely with all stakeholders in the sector to ensure sustainable growth.

He said all stakeholders in the agriculture sector were working together to ensure that the industry was not subjected to unfair competition.

Mr Zyambo pointed out that his ministry was enjoying a cordial relationship with farmers, traders and other stakeholders.