There will be strict measures in place as far as the burning of sugar cane is concerned, says Industrial Commissioner and Registrar of the Sugar Tribunal Timothy Brown.

“The issue was the people are requesting for sugar canes to be burnt because the cane fields are filled with debris and after the cyclones they could not work there land,” Mr Brown said.

“As a result the cane was down and it was overgrown with weeds.”

Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama has authorised the burning of cane fields that have been littered by debris from Cyclone Winston during the consultation held at Korovuto College in Nadi on Tuesday.

The debris, which includes roofing iron, timber and nails would provide a hindrance against the harvesting of sugar cane.

“So the Prime Minister asked that burnt canes will be only be strictly allowed for those farms that have debris and overgrown with weeds,” Mr Brown said.

“When we looked at the industry and the areas that have been affected it is mainly Penang Mill area, Rarawai Mill area and Tavua and in Lautoka only Drasa and Lovu sectors.

“We have not put in the other specific areas in Lautoka.

“We have two cases from Labasa and Sigatoka before us now so we are considering individual cases.”

He said the measures were very strict because they did not want the whole country burning cane.

Edited by Rusiate Mataika

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