Opposition leader Michael Dunkley Friday night defended his family’s dairy in the wake of Premier Ewart Brown’s allegations of unfair monopolisation.

Mr. Dunkley dismissed the Premier’s claims that the Dunkley family’s control of the Island’s milk supply was protected by United Bermuda Party-inspired legislation.

He said Dr. Brown was attempting to distract the public from a row over the Island’s $1 million vehicles emissions testing contract, which was awarded to Bermuda Emissions Control (BEC) — a company run by the Premier’s cousin Donal Smith.

Dr. Brown had suggested the UBP had shown racial double standards by accusing Government of cronyism over the emissions testing contract while ignoring its alleged part in protecting the dairy monopoly.

“As for the Premier’s attack on my family’s business, I am not surprised,” said Mr. Dunkley.

“It is his style to attack individuals, to deflect attention and to push the race button when questioned about questionable deals. I will not be deterred by this approach. “The Premier is under-informed about the dairy industry. I am proud of my family’s business; proud that we have served Bermuda well for more than 100 years. We operate in a free-market environment, where competition can emerge from any quarter.”

The embargo on imported milk was introduced through the 1997 Importation of Milk (Prohibition) Act while the UBP was in power. However, Mr. Dunkley said it was intended to protect local diary farmers, and was passed with full support of both sides of the House of Assembly including, he claimed, Dr. Brown.

He added that at the time he declared his interest as CEO of the production plant that buys milk from local dairy farmers to pasteurise and distribute.

Mr. Dunkley backed UBP Senator E.T. (Bob) Richards, whose attack over the emissions testing contract sparked anger in the Senate last week.

“The fact that the action was taken by breaking the Government’s own rules, requiring a transparent and open bidding process, flies in the face of fairness and equity,” said Mr. Dunkley. “The granting of a monopoly to the Premier’s cousin kills any hope of entrepreneurship in the field of emissions testing. Garages across the Island would like to have been given the opportunity to offer that service to the public.

“There is no need for a monopoly in the business of vehicle emissions testing. Dr. Brown should have followed the example of the UK, where thousands of automobile garages are licensed to provide vehicle inspections and emissions testing.

“Instead, cronyism has triumphed once again over entrepreneurship.”

Dr. Brown had claimed BEC had first been sought for the contract by the UBP. Last night, Mr. Dunkley argued such an assertion “insults the intelligence of Bermudians”.

The emissions testing contract was never put out to tender, but Government says BEC was the only company with the specialist equipment and facilities. It says the contract was scrutinised at length by the Ministry of Transport, the Attorney General Chambers, TCD and Cabinet.

Saturday’s Royal Gazette reported Dr. Brown as saying: “This week’s drumbeat of unsubstantiated attacks from the Opposition are irresponsible.

“If Sen. Richards wants to probe untoward financial gain he should perhaps take a look in his own backyard. His Opposition leader has a virtual monopolisation in his dairy business, a competitive edge protected by UBP-inspired legislation.”