The Seafood Processors of Newfoundland and Labrador Inc. (SPONL) is refusing to buy lobsters from harvesters — again.
This is an almost exact repeat of how the process of setting a minimum price for the crustaceans unfolded last year, says people involved in the industry.
SPONL, which represents 25 processing facilities in the province, issued a news release Wednesday morning stating it could not afford to agree to the price set by the Standing Fish Price Setting Panel so it is refusing to buy lobster.
In the statement executive director George?Joyce decried the panel’s decision.
“This is the second year that collective bargaining between the parties has occurred for lobster and the second year of instability in the industry,”?said Joyce.