Long Pond Sugar Factory closure

Minister of Agriculture Dr Christopher Tufton in Parliament yesterday:

I wish to turn my attention briefly to address the matter of the announced closure of the Long Pond Sugar Factory for the next crop year. Mr Speaker, let me say up front that it was very unfortunate that key stakeholders in the industry only learned of the impending closure via the media. As this House is well aware, the Trelawny Sugar Estate was divested to Everglades Farm Limited in July last year. The new owners, however, are still subject to the regulation of the Sugar Industry Authority as prescribed in the Sugar Industry Control Act.

Mr Speaker, it was well known even before the divestment, that the factory required substantial rehabilitation and overhaul. It is not entirely unusual that the extent of overhaul to factories sometimes necessitate suspension of operations. The management of Everglades has indicated that this is now the case. In the circumstances, therefore, what is critical is that attendant issues in relation to the take-off of farmers' cane are adequately addressed.

In this regard, I have mandated the executive chairman of the Sugar Industry Authority to deal with this matter, and he has commenced discussions with the parties with a view to resolving all the issues amicably. It is my belief that the existing regulatory structure provides appropriate mechanism to resolve these issues.