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Golding says a JLP gov't would subsidise sugar industry if.
MARK CUMMINGS , Observer staff reporter
Saturday, July 30, 2005
Golding. told cane farmers and sugar employees that if the industry is to survive the factories would have to become efficient
CLARKS TOWN, Trelawny - Opposition Leader Bruce Golding says a future Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) government would be willing to subsidise the island's ailing sugar industry, but only after an optimum level of efficiency is achieved in the sector.
"If US 20 cents is the best figure that we can arrive at as an average cost of production throughout the industry, my government would be prepared to give the commitment that if the price you are getting from Europe is US 12 cents we will bridge the difference," Golding said.
He warned, however, that a JLP government would not tolerate the inefficiencies that have dogged the sector in recent years.
"If the industry is to remain inefficient, so that it cost this year (US) 25 cents per pound, next year it cost 28 cents per pound and if the price you are getting is 15 cents my government would not be prepared to provide the 13 cents," the opposition leader said.
He was addressing scores of sugar workers and cane farmers at the Cedric Titus Comprehensive High School in Clarks Town, Trelawny yesterday.
Concerns have been raised in recent months about the future of the island's sugar sector in light of the proposed 39 per cent price cut by the European Union and the poor performance of the island's sugar factories.
During the recently concluded crop, the country, which had itself a target of 185,000 tonnes of sugar produced a mere 124,000 tonnes.
The management of the Long Pond sugar factory in Clarks Town had planned to manufacture 13,000 tonnes but it only achieved 4,500 tonnes of the sweetener.
There were also reports of massive losses incurred by cane farmers who claimed that they were unable to reap their crop, due the inefficiencies at the sugar processing plants.
Golding told the cane farmers and sugar employees that if the industry is to survive the factories would have to become efficient.
He added that in an effort to be achieved the desired level of efficiency at the plants, the government must take the necessary steps to restructure the industry.
The restructuring, he said, should include a massive injection of capital at the factories and a major sugar cane replanting programme.
The opposition leader also renewed his call for the dismissal of the management and board members of the state-run Sugar Company of Jamaica, charging that their leadership has been the major contributory factor to poor performance of the sector.
"You as cane farmers and sugar worker will have no hope for any recovery so long as the present structure and management of the Sugar Company of Jamaica remains in place," Golding told the sugar workers.
He added that the Opposition would continue to lobby in Parliament in an effort to ensure that the restructuring of the industry can only proceed "if we get rid of the present sugar company board and management and put people in there that understand the industry".
Chairman of the All Island Jamaica Cane Farmers Association Allan Rickards had earlier this month called for the dismissal of the SCJ's management.
But the SCJ's board has expressed confidence in the managers.
Dudd:Why shoulf Jamaica subsidize sugar that is going to Europe as raw materials to create jobs in their industry?
Why not use the subsify to finance industriak complex to use the raw sugar to make finished products,to be sold internationally?
MARK CUMMINGS , Observer staff reporter
Saturday, July 30, 2005
Golding. told cane farmers and sugar employees that if the industry is to survive the factories would have to become efficient
CLARKS TOWN, Trelawny - Opposition Leader Bruce Golding says a future Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) government would be willing to subsidise the island's ailing sugar industry, but only after an optimum level of efficiency is achieved in the sector.
"If US 20 cents is the best figure that we can arrive at as an average cost of production throughout the industry, my government would be prepared to give the commitment that if the price you are getting from Europe is US 12 cents we will bridge the difference," Golding said.
He warned, however, that a JLP government would not tolerate the inefficiencies that have dogged the sector in recent years.
"If the industry is to remain inefficient, so that it cost this year (US) 25 cents per pound, next year it cost 28 cents per pound and if the price you are getting is 15 cents my government would not be prepared to provide the 13 cents," the opposition leader said.
He was addressing scores of sugar workers and cane farmers at the Cedric Titus Comprehensive High School in Clarks Town, Trelawny yesterday.
Concerns have been raised in recent months about the future of the island's sugar sector in light of the proposed 39 per cent price cut by the European Union and the poor performance of the island's sugar factories.
During the recently concluded crop, the country, which had itself a target of 185,000 tonnes of sugar produced a mere 124,000 tonnes.
The management of the Long Pond sugar factory in Clarks Town had planned to manufacture 13,000 tonnes but it only achieved 4,500 tonnes of the sweetener.
There were also reports of massive losses incurred by cane farmers who claimed that they were unable to reap their crop, due the inefficiencies at the sugar processing plants.
Golding told the cane farmers and sugar employees that if the industry is to survive the factories would have to become efficient.
He added that in an effort to be achieved the desired level of efficiency at the plants, the government must take the necessary steps to restructure the industry.
The restructuring, he said, should include a massive injection of capital at the factories and a major sugar cane replanting programme.
The opposition leader also renewed his call for the dismissal of the management and board members of the state-run Sugar Company of Jamaica, charging that their leadership has been the major contributory factor to poor performance of the sector.
"You as cane farmers and sugar worker will have no hope for any recovery so long as the present structure and management of the Sugar Company of Jamaica remains in place," Golding told the sugar workers.
He added that the Opposition would continue to lobby in Parliament in an effort to ensure that the restructuring of the industry can only proceed "if we get rid of the present sugar company board and management and put people in there that understand the industry".
Chairman of the All Island Jamaica Cane Farmers Association Allan Rickards had earlier this month called for the dismissal of the SCJ's management.
But the SCJ's board has expressed confidence in the managers.
Dudd:Why shoulf Jamaica subsidize sugar that is going to Europe as raw materials to create jobs in their industry?
Why not use the subsify to finance industriak complex to use the raw sugar to make finished products,to be sold internationally?
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