THE EDITOR, Sir:
MOB RULE or gentle protest, call it what you will. It really does not matter whether it is the blocking of roads, ostensible shutting down of businesses or the blocking of free passage of pedestrians. The intent is to call the attention of the public and or that of the powers that be to what groups of individuals believe to be the infringements and or deprivation of their rights. That is the order of the day, irrespective of class, colour or creed. One such apologetic exhibition of strength was recently on show by some 200 representatives of the sugar interests out of an industry that boasts tens of thousands.
A basic fact that should be realised by post-colonial populations is that although these countries have become politically independent, they are still economically dependent. We live in an international economic environment in which the rules of the game are set by the developed/industrialised countries. They set the prices at which we will purchase their exports and they also set the prices they will pay for our exports.
PREFERENTIAL TREATMENT
ACP countries ought to have been aware from as far back as the Treaty of Rome 1957 that the preferential treatment in trade enjoyed by them was but a calendar item in the time frame of ACP/EU trade relations. In addition there have been subsequent signs of imminence in the Lome Conventions, the Cotonou Agreement, the retention of non-tariff barriers such as the Common Agricultural Policy, the numerous discussions with the European Union, the progressive enlargement of the European Union, as well as the global unfettered trade liberalisation being espoused.
Despite these warning signs the production of sugar in Jamaica has over the years slipped to the extent where there have been failures to meet the European contract, and we have in fact become a net importer of sugar. All these are happening, while the country is importing ethanol for rum manufacture and bagasse is needed to increase our energy production.
GOVERNMENT FUNDING
If one should calculate the funding that would accrue by operating an efficient industry, including the amount of government funding given to the industry, the foreign exchange used to import ethanol and sugar annually, the earning from bagasse for an energy programme, the amounts that would be available for investment in an efficient industry would be adequate, to say the least.
Globalisation has not made the tasks of the sugar industry easier. Time is no more on our side. The time for making the industry efficient is now. Modernise with state-of-the-art technology. Maximise your by-products and form the strongest links possible with the manufacturers of rum.
Is sugar still king or is it that the king has been beheaded?
I am, etc.,
LAKER LEVERS
lakerlevers@mail.infochan.com
80 East Street
PO Box 1929
Kingston 8
