The news of a high-level agreement between Wilmar Sugar and Queensland Sugar Limited has been welcomed by peak sugarcane farming organisation CANEGROWERS as an important step towards key contracts being in place for the 2017 season.
In statement just released, CANEGROWERS has urged both QSL and Wilmar to diligently work through the task of drafting contracts based on this agreement.
“Only when their On-Supply Agreement is finalised can grower collectives finalise their Cane Supply Agreements with Wilmar and our members can progress to signing contracts,” the statement said.
“On this matter, CANEGROWERS thanks its members for their patience and urges them to continue to take advice from their local office and directors.”
QSL managing director and CEO Greg Beashel acknowledged there was still a lot of work to be done before the deal was sealed.
“While QSL welcomes this long overdue development, there is still a lot of work to be done before a detailed contract is secured and Wilmar Growers can begin to access QSL marketing and pricing services for the 2017 Season and beyond,” he said.
“That final contract and its implementation is now our primary focus.
“QSL will provide Wilmar growers with regular updates on the progress of the final OSA contract and when they will finally be able to choose QSL as a GEI Sugar Marketer and start pricing with us.
“In the interim, those interested in QSL marketing and pricing services are urged to complete and return the QSL Direct Pre-Registration form they should have received in the mail or via email recently.”
Growers can also find this form on the QSL website on the ‘Wilmar Growers’ page within the Marketing Choice section. Click here to access.
The Queensland Government and the Liberal National Party have both welcomed the news of an in-principle agreement.
“We sincerely hope the finish line is within sight for a dispute which has dragged on for over two years,” opposition leader Tim Nicholls said.
“Our interest has always been to ensure that farmers have genuine choice in marketing and cannot be held to ransom through damaging disputes between companies that can’t reach agreement.”
