Sugar scale dispute resolved

JUST DAYS before the start of full-scale harvesting of canes on Monday, the controversy over allocation of weigh-scales seems to have been settled, with the scales being almost evenly divided between the two major cane farming associations.

Cane Farmers’ Association of Trinidad and Tobago (CFATT) general secretary Dave Persad said following a meeting with Sugar Manufacturing Company Ltd’s (SMCL) consultants, Virgo Consultants Ltd’s (VCL), CFATT was given control of 16 scales, while the Trinidad Islandwide Cane Farmers’ Association (TICFA), was given control of 12 scales. Two smaller cane farmers’ associations — the Direct Delivery Co-operative and the Cane Producers Association of TT (CPATT), were awarded seven and two scales, respectively. Persad said the CFATT wrote to VCL managing director Wayne Inniss indicating acceptance of the offer presented to CFATT during discussions at VCL’s Brechin Castle offices Wednesday.

However, CFATT once again called for reintroduction of the Cane Farming Department of the defunct Caroni (1975) Limited to, “manage and operate the area scales for the 2004 crop only.” With the weigh-scale issue seemingly settled, Persad said the growing controversy over farmers’ contracts with the (SMCL) was another issue that had to be settled to ensure a successful crop. “We are advising farmers not to sign these new one-year contracts offered by the company because of the lack of security of tenure for farmers,” he said. Persad said contracts offered by the now defunct Caroni 1975 Ltd, were of  a three-year duration and covered under the Cane Production Act. CAFTT will meet with SMCL acting CEO Clarance Ramabarat, on Monday to discuss the issue.