THE National Farmers Union is calling on the Fiji Sugar Corporation and the Sugar Industry Tribunal to waive the burnt cane penalty on all cane delivered to the Lautoka Mill.
General secretary Mahendra Chaudhry said the call for waiver comes as a result the Rarawai Mill closure last week following a fire that destroyed its power house and electrical systems.
“All cane in the Viti Levu cane belt is now milled at Lautoka causing congestion of lorries and rail trucks at the mill resulting in long delays in the unloading of burnt cane,” Mr Chaudhry said.
“Another reason is the consequential reduction in the number of harvest quotas which were previously based on the crushing capacity of both the mills.
“As a result, we now have a situation where harvested burnt cane remains on the farms or loaded on lorries for up to 6-10 days before the mill takes delivery.”
Mr Chaudhry said the farmers were now unjustifiably charged the maximum penalty of around $7 per tonne of cane.
“From information available, the Rarawai Mill fire was caused by negligence on FSC’s part and it must take responsibility for the negative consequences arising from the mill’s closure. Farmers should not be penalised for the current situation.”
Questions have been sent to Sugar Minister Charan Jeath Singh and FSC Ceo Bhan Pratap Singh.
