Ross Sheil, Staff Reporter
DISMISSING THE European Union's (EU) conduct as 'arrogant', executive chairman of the Sugar Industry Authority, Ambassador Derrick Heaven, yesterday urged cane farmers to attend Thursday's protest march on EU member countries diplomatic missions.
The action is being taken against the EU's abandonment of the Sugar Protocol agreement and decision to cut by 39 per cent, prices paid to African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) sugar producers.
Prime Minister P.J. Patterson last week met with British Prime Minister Tony Blair in London. Prior to the meeting Mr. Patterson wrote to Mr. Blair outlining his concerns over the EU's decision, which is to be announced on June 22 with the cuts made over the two years to 2008/9.
"The conduct of the European Union has been arrogant in that they have made no attempt to engage in any form of discussion," said Mr. Heaven. While they talk about development on one side of their mouth, in reality they are showing little consideration for our economy ... I hope farmers can come out in force as we need to send a clear, united message from the industry.
"The Europeans have reneged on the Sugar Protocol and we need to highlight this ... Also people locally need to understand that as an industry we are not begging but we we are seeking to defend our rights, as stated in the Sugar Protocol." Signed in 1975 the agreement guaranteed price and quantity of sugar exports for an indefinite period from ACP counties to the EU.
Mr. Heaven could not confirm his attendance at the march but told The Gleaner he would be addressing the European Parliament on the issue in July. Similar protests would be ongoing in other ACP countries he said.
In his letter to Mr. Patterson asking Mr. Blair to support a 'reasonable transition period' for Jamaica. Otherwise, said Mr. Patterson, the industry would be unable to withstand the price cut, especially without the kind of support mechanisms available to EU farmers.
Echoing the industry's complaints about a lack of consultation by the EU, Mr. Patterson said the cut's impact on a proposed 'action plan' of transitional support for ACP sugar producers was not discussed with the Government of Jamaica or the sugar industry.
President of the All-Island Cane Farmers Association Allan Rickards who will be attending the march, called for Govern-ment to take a stand on the issue: "As yet there is no unified government position, we need to take a much more vigorous approach." He said the association would be holding a press conference on Thursday to put forward its recommendations for the industry's future.
The march is planned to begin midday at the British High Commission on Trafalgar Road, progressing on to other EU member diplomatic missions and the Delegation of the European Union said organiser Vincent Morrison, Island Supervisor of the National Workers Union (NWU). The march will also involve the Bustamante Industrial Trade Union (BITU) and the Universal Allied Workers Union (UAWU). All three unions will co-sign letters stating their position to be to handed to each mission.
