GOVERNMENT has no respect for canegrowers because it formulated two Bills concerning the sugar industry without any input from farmers.

This was the view of growers from Yaladro in Tavua.

Prominent grower and spokesman for the group Surendra Sahai said farmers needed real assistance in terms of drainage, irrigation and improved field services.

“Instead of coming up with the Reform of the Sugar Industry Bill and Sugar Cane Growers Fund amendment Bill, Government should have come up with a definite plan on how we will be assisted,” Mr Sahai said.

“Instead of wasting taxpayers money holding consultations on two Bills that we did not participate in, they should have held consultations on what our needs are.

“We are trying to repair our homes, our labourers’ homes and prepare for harvesting with no assistance from the Government.

“These are the types of things that are important to us and not Bills that will give total control of the industry to the Fiji Sugar Corporation.”

Mr Sahai’s views were shared by individual growers and representative organisations during a second round of consultations on the two Bills in the Western Division last week.

Standing Committee on Economic Affairs chairperson Lorna Eden said the views expressed by growers would be taken into account and used to formulate a report to Parliament.