By The Star Staff
Governor Pedro Rafael Pierluisi Urrutia on Thursday told the management of Suiza Dairy to stop blaming the Government of Puerto Rico for the economic situation they face.
“The secretary (of Agriculture, Ramón González Beiró) has been clear at all times. That lawsuit that they have now brought to light is a lawsuit that ended several years ago, many years ago. Don’t come with that excuse now. The decision is made by the company for whatever reasons. The company closed the facility, that is a decision of a private entity. I respect the private sector, but don’t let them come and blame the government,” the governor said to questions from the press.
“The government has been taking action on this matter. They closed the facility and what we have done is coordinate so that there is no shortage of product, so that there is no shortage of fresh milk in Puerto Rico. And that has been the case. And I am sure that the Secretary of Agriculture will continue to take measures while that plant is not in operation. But don’t let them come to blame or justify based on a lawsuit that dates back years, which has already ended. If they really have financial problems, then let them be taken care of. And if the financial problems reach the point that they have to close their facilities, then they should speak clearly, but they should not blame someone who has no responsibility in this,” he added.
The directors of Suiza Dairy have expressed that part of their financial problems respond to an alleged failure by the Department of Agriculture and the Milk Industry Regulation Office (ORIL) to a federal lawsuit in which, among other things, they established fresh milk prices. Suiza filed a contempt motion against the government entities in which, among other matters, they demanded the disbursement of millions of dollars owed.
The company also maintains a strike conflict that has lasted more than 30 days and keeps its facilities in Rio Piedras, San Juan, closed.
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