Pearl Farmers Mobilize: Tahiti Pearl Consortium Opposed in Front of the Polynesian Assembly
By Sandrine, Friday 7 December 2012 at 13:22 :: Legislation
Around thirty pearl farmers, gathered under the banner of the collective “Touche pas à ma perle”, are currently mobilizing in front of the Assembly of French Polynesia to express their opposition to the Tahiti Pearl Consortium project supported by President Oscar Temaru and his government.
Nine Economic Interest Groups (GIE) are represented: Rikitiea, Poe Raromatai, Poe O Tahiti Nui, Pearl's Manihi, Tuamotu Pearl, Tahiti Pearls Auction, Perles des Tuamotu-Gambier, Poe Rava Nui, and Poe o te a o Nui, as well as the unions of small and medium producers, SPPP and SPMPPF. Protesters are holding clear signs: “Non au TPC!” (“No to the TPC!”).
They denounce what they see as political interference in their commercial sector and are calling for the removal of the 500-million-XPF budget line intended to fund the creation and capitalization of the Tahiti Pearl Consortium, which is included in the 2013 budget proposal being debated today in the Assembly.
“We would rather see this money allocated to the hospital or the RSPF!” declared Moerau Haoatai, spokesperson for five GIEs gathered together. “My colleagues could not come because they are preparing for a major auction to be held this Saturday in Papeete, where 420,000 pearls will be offered for sale,” she added.