Retailers across the island have reported a shortage of fresh milk, with one grocer reporting that supplies have “completely dried up” in recent days.

The shortage comes on the heels of a notice of suspension issued recently to Green Land Farm by the Ministry of Health over the quality of milk produced at the farm’s facilities.

A Hamilton retailer reported yesterday that it is experiencing a milk shortage “until further notice”.

The grocer said: “We noticed a sharp decline in fresh milk deliveries over a week ago, which then completely dried up after the story in The Royal Gazette.

“To the best of our knowledge, there is no blue fresh milk available anywhere on the island.”

A representative at Belvin’s Variety Store said yesterday that the “blue box” fresh milk has been unavailable for the past week.

“We have none right now and we don’t know when we’ll have again,” he said.

A Pembroke retailer also agreed that the shortage of the milk was noticeable.

In the past, the island has suffered milk shortages that were attributed to scorching temperatures throughout August, which left Bermuda’s dairy herds struggling to produce their regular yields of fresh milk.

Last week, a government spokeswoman said health ministry representatives planned to meet the owners of Green Land Farm to discuss a strategy for maintaining and enhancing the quality of its milk.

Stephen Dunkley, the general manager at Dunkley’s Dairy, said Green Land Farm supplied the majority of fresh milk to the firm.

He added that Dunkley’s was working with the farm and the health department to sort out the suspension issue.

Meanwhile, a retailer issued a call this week for legislators to revisit laws regarding the importation of milk.

The Importation of Milk (Prohibition) Act 1997 forbids the importation of raw milk, pasteurised milk, ultra-pasteurised milk, ultra-heat-treated milk and manufactured milk.

However, if the relevant minister is satisfied that special circumstances warrant such action, by order they may authorise the importation into Bermuda of a dairy product, subject to such conditions as may be set out in the order.

The retailer said: “That ban on fresh milk imports leaves Bermudians with no alternative choices, no competition and, now, no fresh milk at all.”

The retailer said wholesalers have reported that they can import long-lasting milk at low prices, adding that the law regarding fresh milk leaves consumers with limited choices.

“Government must review the milk import ban so the public can get access to safer, more reliable, longer-lasting and more affordable fresh milk,” the retailer added.

“When cows stop producing in the summer heat, or when farmers rely on heavy doses of antibiotics to treat sick animals and push them back into production, the entire island sees and tastes the results.”

Green Land Farm could not be reached for comment yesterday.