NFU to attend North sugar consultations, push for higher cane price

National Farmers Union (NFU) president Surendra Lal says the organisation will attend this week's parliamentary sugar consultations in the North, despite criticism from Government that union representatives had not participated in earlier meetings in the Western Division.

Mr Lal confirmed he would attend the consultations in Labasa, describing them as an important opportunity to present growers' concerns directly to the parliamentary committee.

The confirmation follows comments by Minister for Sugar Tomasi Tunabuna, who said no NFU representatives had attended any of the four consultations held in the Western Division.

Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka will chair the northern consultations, accompanied by Mr Tunabuna and other key sugar industry stakeholders.

The first consultation will be held at the Seaqaqa Sanatan Hall in Macuata on Wednesday, followed by a second meeting at the Vanua Levu Arya Samaj Hall in Namara, Labasa, on Thursday.

Mr Lal said one of the union's main priorities remained increasing the guaranteed minimum cane price from $85 to $110 a tonne.

"There are a lot of issues to iron out. I am surprised why they have taken a long time to come to Labasa for consultations," he said.

Mr Lal said he wanted clarification on whether the committee was prepared to seriously consider increasing the guaranteed cane price.

"I am really looking forward to attending the consultations in the North. We have written numerous request letters to the line minister and the Prime Minister, but there have been no concrete actions undertaken," he claimed.

Responding to Mr Tunabuna's criticism, Mr Lal said the union had already submitted its concerns to Government in writing.

"The question coming in front of us by Mr Tunabuna is that NFU has not been attending any of the consultations. However, we have submitted all our issues and requests to the line minister via a letter," he said.

Mr Lal also confirmed he was willing to meet Mr Tunabuna and the NFU board to discuss ways of resolving issues affecting the sugar industry.

Minister defends consultation process

Mr Tunabuna said he remained committed to engaging with NFU general secretary Mahendra Chaudhry to help move the sugar industry forward.

He said he was disappointed Mr Chaudhry, despite being vocal through media statements and social media, had not attended the western consultations.

"We had four sugar consultation sessions in the West, but for Mr Chaudhry to say he is representing the best interests of farmers, he was not seen in any of the sessions," Mr Tunabuna said.

"My office and the Prime Minister's Office received a letter from Mr Chaudhry calling for specific farmer demands to be met before crushing could begin.

"In the letter, it was made clear Mr Chaudhry was highlighting the demands requested to be met by Government and there was no indication of boycotting the season."

Mr Tunabuna said he had also invited Mr Chaudhry to meet with him but had not received a response.