Cane farmers in a sour mood

Ruddy Mathison, Gleaner Writer

FALMOUTH, Trelawny:

TRELAWNY CANE farmers are calling for an immediate review of the terms and conditions of the agreement reached between Government and Everglades Farms Ltd, operator of Long Pond and Hampden sugar factories.

The cane farmers say they want decisive action by Minister of Agriculture Christopher Tufton.

In a pointed resolution moved by the cane farmers at their association meeting held Thursday night in Clarke's Town, Trelawny, they highlighted the severe social and economic hardships being experienced by stakeholders and their dependents which, they said, was a result of Everglades Farms being unable to live up to the requirements of the divestment agreement.

The cane farmers said one of the main criteria for the divestment of the sugar factories was a proven capacity to manage and effect the repairs needed to make the factories viable. They said it has become clear that the owners are not able to meet the requirements and have failed to give definitive reasons for the continued closure of the factory.

Full support of farmers

Meanwhile, chairman of the All-Island Cane Farmers Association, Allan Rickards, told The Gleaner that he was in full support of the farmers. He called for a review to take place to look at the cropping period and to see where help could be brought in to assist farmers in reaping their cane. Rickards said Everglades Farms must also give an assurance that the repairs that are to be carried out will be completed before the start of the next cropping season. "Farmers must also be made aware of what form and how much compensation they will receive if their cane is not removed as a result of the broken promises of operator of the two sugar factories," the chairman stated.

When contacted, Christopher Hylton, public relations manager at Everglades Farms said the company had no comment on what transpired at the cane farmers' meeting. He said Everglades Farms was not invited to the meeting.