All areas of farming will be affected by the new department

Lawrence Carter wrote to the Economic Development Committee earlier in the year suggesting substantial savings could be made by its Agriculture Department.

But he says nothing has happened yet in response to this.

The man in charge of the Agriculture Department, Deputy Gerald Voisin, says hard work has been put in by staff to improve services but that has not been completed yet.

However, he also added that farmers needed to start helping themselves a little more because of some disunity.

Producers struggling

The new department has taken responsibility for the sector since the latest re-organisation of States committees.

Lawrence Carter wants Deputy Voisin to meet growers, to explain what his department has been doing, before the end of the year.

He said he is concerned the department still is not giving them enough support.

He said: "What we would like to know, as growers, is how the president is going to approach our particular problems."

In the island's dairy industry, problems are said to include difficulties caused by a fall in the price of milk as a result of over-production.

Producers say they have been struggling for some time and many are having to diversify or are reported to be considering pulling out of farming all together.

Mr Lawrence says despite promises there would be changes by the new department, including savings and improvements for farmers, little has happened.

Deputy Voisin says hard work has been put in identifying areas where savings could be made.

However, he said: "The support that the States can give the industry pales into insignificance when you compare that with what the industry can give itself by taking a more united approach."

He said there has been disunity between from a handful of growers.

He said: "If people set aside their own agendas and worked together for the good of the industry, we could really move forward.

"Until that is done, it's going to have a very difficult future."