Growers welcome Tully dispute arbitration

Growers welcome Tully dispute arbitration
December 19 2019

Queensland’s sugarcane growers have welcomed the appointment by the Federal Government of an arbitrator in a long-running dispute between CANEGROWERS Tully members and the COFCO-owned milling company, Tully Sugar Limited.

“The appointment is an important step in a process set out in the sugar industry’s Code of Conduct,” CANEGROWERS Tully Chairman Jamie Dore said. 

Arbitration will commence on 17 January 2020 with a decision then due within 30 days. 

“CANEGROWERS Tully members seek certainty, in the form of a workable and fair cane supply agreement, before planning for the 2020 harvest begins in earnest,” Mr Dore said. “Such an agreement is in the best interests of growers and the mill. 

“We initiated this arbitration process on behalf of our grower members after a year of discussions with the mill were unable to reach an acceptable agreement. 

“It is now time for an independent arbitrator to step in and we look forward to continuing to work towards a resolution.” 

At issue are Tully Sugars Limited’s proposal to transfer a harbour cost for sugar shipments on to growers and its demand to extend the crushing season into the wet summer period.

 

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