The Sugar Industry Amendment Bill and the Sugar Cane Growers Fund Amendment Bill were passed unanimously in Parliament today.
The Sugar Industry amendment dissolves the Sugar Commission of Fiji.
The SCGC Amendment gives the Sugar Minister the power to appoint the board and its chairperson.
Attorney General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum says farmers will no longer have to pay any levy to the Fund.
‘’A huge relief to the farmers and the government of Fiji will pick up the administrative cost of running this council But it means they have to be financially prudent – they have to give a budget – they simply just don’t levy the farmer and if they get $600, 00 – maybe the cost of running the Council is only $200, 000 – so it will again bring about financial discipline – they council needs to have a budget and we intend to provide this from next year’s budget.”
The SCGC membership will now include 6 representatives from the Fiji Cane Growers Association,the Commissioner Northern and the Commissioner western.
The Sugar Industry Bill was passed by 31 votes, whilst the SCGC Bill received 30 votes.
