over-protection of the dairy industry.

Jim Butterfield, president of Butterfield and Vallis, was singled out by Environment Minister Irving Pearman as the only respondent to a special survey to come out against keeping out imported milk.

Mr. Butterfield said yesterday: "I just thought the consumer might have a choice here.

"I guess that in an ideal world, I would have wanted the thing to be self-levelling. This is not a closed catergory and if they see a way to benefit the consumer, why not?'' Mr. Butterfield was one of ten people who appeared before the review team, headed by a University of Florida expert.

He said his firm -- one of the largest wholesalers -- had to turn away people, mostly sailors, who wanted heat-treated milk, which does not require refrigeration.

Mr. Butterfield added: "We hear frequently from people that they can get long-life milk in other places, even little islands down south. This is supposed to be a sophisticated country.'' The survey found that Bermuda's small dairy industry did not make sense from an economic viewpoint and that consumers pay a mark-up on milk five times greater than Americans or Canadians.

The MarketPlace chain -- with 44 percent of the market -- dominates the retail grocery business and is regarded as price leader with the other elements of the grocery trade following.

It also said the industry was too small and inefficient to withstand outside competition and that the embargo costs consumers a total of $734,000 a year.

Mr. Butterfield said the market for heat-treated milk was worth only hundreds, not thousands, of dollars a year for his firm.

But he said: "The bigger question is `should the Bermuda consumer have a choice?' "If the retailers can bring it in at a better price, maybe they should. It would be a level playing field. Bermuda industry has to compete here.'' The embargo on milk imports, due to finish at the end of this year, may be extended to allow Parliament to discuss the report.

Mr. Butterfield said: "If the consumer isn't worked up about it and Government wants to leave it alone, then the majority rules. Perhaps unless one is in the importing industry, you don't look at these things. People are looking to get the best price for the consumer and that's what we need to stay competitive.'' The survey team also hit the streets to canvass public opinion and found that that those employed in the catering industry generally came down against the embargo and criticised the quality of filled milk.

But members of the public appeared to be inclined to protect the dairy industry as a slice of Bermuda's heritage. Story: Page 3 Dunkley and Pioneer Dairies president Michael Dunkley said: "I have said in the past that I do think the embargo should continue.'' He added there were two issues involved in the debate: the protection of local farmers; and confusion about the protection of his company, the sole milk producer, and that they should not be confused.

Mr. Dunkley stressed Dunkley's was not a protected business because they were the only producer.

He said: "Anybody is free to open up in the business we do and do exactly as we do.'' Mr. Dunkley added: "We have stood by the local dairy industry over many years and we will continue to do so.'' But he warned: "If business is opened up, as prudent businesspeople, we will have to look at things again. We can't let our business go down the tubes because we want to help Bermuda's dairy farmers.'' ENVIRONMENT ENV SURVEY SUR