The Fiji Sugar Corporation (FSC) has certainly not an­nounced a fourth cane pay­ment below ten dollars a tonne, says chief executive officer Gra­ham Clark.

He said the early speculation as to the amount of the payment and delay can only be described as mis­guided.

“There is no delay and we do not understand where the information about the fourth cane payment be­ing below $10 came from,” Mr Clark said.

“The Master Award requires that the fourth cane payment is based on all industry receipts and pay­ments up to April 30, each year, with payment required as soon as practical thereafter.

“Once assembled, this data is sub­ject to review and audit by the au­ditors of the Sugar Cane Growers Council and the Sugar Industry

Tribunal.

“Thereafter a recommendation is made to the Sugar Industry Tribu­nal for endorsement and publica­tion as the fourth cane payment.

“FSC is well aware of the financial constraints faced by growers and tries where possible to take these into account,” he said.

“The announcement and prompt payment of the fourth cane pay­ment is actively under consid­eration by FSC to give farmers as much assistance as possible.”

Mr Clark responded following the Fiji Labour Party-Linked National Farmers Union’s president Suren­dra Lal questioning FSC’s delay in making fourth cane payment.

Mr Lal said the payment should have been paid out at the end of April.

“The growers are already upset at being told that the fourth payment would be below $10 a tonne,” Mr Lal said.

“We know that FSC does not have the money for a $20 a tonne payout and that is why we are calling the Government to subsidise the fourth cane payment to bring it up to a $20 a tonne.

“The Labasa mill is scheduled to start 2017 crushing season next month but farmers do not have the funds to begin preparations for har­vesting.”

Edited by Selita Bolanavanua

Feedback: shratika.naidu@fijisun.com.fj