Cedric Johnson, Gleaner Writer
SAVANNA-LA-MAR, Westmoreland:
LESS THAN one week before the start of the 2003/04 sugar crop at Frome in Westmoreland, the West End Cane Farmers' Association says the projected 55,000 tonnes of sugar may not be attained because of illicit cane fires.
"Already, we have counted 23 fires and I would give a conservative estimate of losses at 35,000 tonnes of canes costing $9.5 million", Astill Sangster, the association's chairman told The Gleaner.
And according to him, "If this situation continues, it is certain the targeted (number of) tonnes for the crop which begins on December 7 will not be realised".
The Cane Farmers' Association chairman said that given the need to improve efficiency in the sugar industry, a special attempt must be made to thwart more illicit fires and cane farmers should be willing to assist the police in this effort.
At the same time, Mr. Sangster said cane farmers were concerned that the new crop would begin without farm roads being improved. He said that the Government should immediately release the annual grant under the Sugar Industry Authority (SIA) to rehabilitate at least some of the roads.
