Sugar recommendations to cost Jamaica $100 million

The Jamaican Government will spend $100 million over the next four years to carry out the recommendations of the Sugar Enquiry Commission.



Dr. Christopher Tufton, agriculture minister, made the announcement at a press briefing this morning.



The commission of enquiry was set up in April last year, in light of changes to the trading arrangement for the commodity in the European Union, privatisation of the industry, and diversification of the sector.



The recommendations of the commission, chaired by Professor Alvin Wint, will be implemented by the Sugar Transformation Unit of the agriculture ministry, using funds provided by the European Union.



Among the recommendations contained in the commission’s report is for the retention of the Sugar Industry Authority as the regulator in the industry, and the Sugar Industry Research Institute to provide research services to the industry.



Dr. Tufton said Cabinet also approved the recommendation of the Commission, to review the Sugar Industry Control Act in order to determine appropriate amendments.



He said Cabinet is also setting up a task force resolve the current conflicts in the use of the Ocho Rios Port facility.



The port is currently being shared by tourism and sugar interests.



Dr. Tufton said the task force will be mandated to develop a plan for an alternative port facility which would support an expanded sugar export sector.