QUEENSLAND cane growers have reacted angrily to an attack by a NSW politician on the Sugar Industry Code of Conduct.
CANEGROWERS chairman Paul Schembri said farmers were affronted that Senator David Leyonhjelm had failed to even speak with Queensland growers and their representatives.
“He has never contacted us or sought to understand why this code is important to CANEGROWERS members,” Mr Schembri said.
The Sugar Industry Code of Conducts sets out a framework for a fair process when commercial contract negotiations between grower representatives and large milling companies fail to reach an agreed outcome.
“Millers have a monopoly when it comes to processing the cane our members grow because transport economics lock them into only supplying their local mill,” Mr Schembri said.
“This code prevents mills from abusing that monopoly position in negotiations. It keeps the parties on track and negotiating fairly and provides a mechanism to break deadlocks.
“The code lays the foundation for stability and confidence in the industry. Everyone knows the rules and there is a process to follow.
“The code future-proofs our industry from the protracted dispute that raged for three years and ended just as this year’s harvest began.
“This attempt to strike it down is an attack on Queensland farmers and an attempt to undermine a valuable Queensland export industry.”
Australian Sugar Milling Council has consistently criticised the code, which has been in action since early April.
