Sugar industry peak body CANEGROWERS said today that the sugar industry has been severly impacted by the rain during the 2010 harvest, with some 20%, equating to some 5.7 million tonnes of sugarcane, left unharvested. The negative impact from the heavy rainfall will continue into 2011, and the body is urging growers to seek whatever financial assistance is available.

“While it will still be weeks before we are able to get a better handle on the full extent of the impact on the sugar industry, we are encouraging growers to find out now what assistance and grants are available to help them with the massive recovery work ahead of them,” said acting CEO of CANEGROWERS, Ron Mullins.

“While the grants do not yet cover every affected area, this is a proactive start from the federal and state governments to get the recovery on track, and we will continue to work with government and community players to get the best possible result from the difficult situation.”

CANEGROWERS said it has been actively lobbying for assistance to help kick-start the recovery of the industry. Mullins commended the federal and state governments for their action in providing assistance to businesses and primary producers in flood affected areas and other local government areas heavily impacted by excessive rainfall, which has caused localised to severe flooding in cane-growing districts spanning from Mossman to Grafton.

“We are urging growers to contact their local CANEGROWERS offices or QRAA to check their eligibility for financial assistance and counselling support,” said Mullins.

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