THE EDITOR, Sir:

As of February 2013, the cane farmers in Westmoreland will have to pay an additional $246/ton to contractors. This amount is labelled as 'hoist bypass fee'.

These contractors already got an increase from $1,163.10/ton in 2012 to $1,221.72/ton in 2013. They will now receive a grand total of $1,446.72/ton.

Cane farmers are now receiving an average of about $1,600/ton. We have to buy herbicides and fertiliser, and pay workers. This was imposed on us.

A representative on the board is a contractor. This is a conflict of interest; he is not representing the cane farmers. We need someone to listen to us and a voice to cry out for us.

The sugar industry is heading for disaster. We cannot absorb this unrealistic fee. We are restless. We are going out of business.

CARMEN EDWARDS

cmaudg@gmail.com