Getting on with business – new agreements guarantee choice

CANEGROWERS members in the Maryborough district and MSF Sugar are signing the historic first new Cane Supply Agreements (CSAs) under the amended Sugar Industry Act which provides for grower choice in sugar marketing.

The new CSAs comply with the Sugar Industry (Real Choice in Marketing) Amendment Bill 2015 that became law after fierce debate and a vote of the Queensland Parliament in December.

CANEGROWERS CEO Dan Galligan said these first CSAs, being signed by growers in the south east region this week, prove the legislation is both workable and practical for both sectors of Queensland’s second most valuable agricultural export industry.

“Despite all the rhetoric and the dire predictions being thrown around last year, the sky has not fallen in,” Mr Galligan said. “This miller and the growers that supply it with sugarcane have sat down and negotiated a way forward.”

“Both can now get on with the business of producing a quality product with confidence.”

CANEGROWERS Maryborough Chairman Jeff Atkinson welcomed the certainty that these agreements would give growers for the 2017, 2018 and 2019 seasons. 

“It is a sign that with goodwill, cooperation and effective negotiations, CSAs can be developed at the district level that will deliver benefits to mills and growers,” Mr Atkinson said.

“Importantly, the CSA provides choice in marketing pathways for growers in the Maryborough district who have worked with MSF on options consistent with this principle for some years.”

“Mills and growers must work in a partnership that delivers a fair outcome for both. The agreement reached is proof that the legislation has not detracted from this opportunity in Maryborough.”

A number of other milling companies have rolling CSAs with their grower suppliers which comply with the legislation and CANEGROWERS is continuing to work towards similar agreements in the milling districts which have yet to finalise CSAs for next year.

 

Media comment:            Jeff Atkinson | CANEGROWERS Maryborough Chairman | 0428 212 792
More information:         Neroli Roocke | CANEGROWERS Communications | 0418 871 881