Motions

WHEREAS the Government of Trinidad and Tobago closed Caroni (1975) Ltd (the Company) in or around 2003;

AND WHEREAS the Cane Farmers, one of the major stakeholders of the industry, were adversely affected by the closure of the Company;

AND WHEREAS the European Union recognizing the severe impact the closure of the sugar industry would have on the Stakeholders of the ACP countries, made grant funds available to those countries to cushion the impact of the closure of the industry;

AND WHEREAS Trinidad and Tobago was one of the countries which stood to benefit from the grant funds from the European Union mentioned above;

AND WHEREAS the Government of Trinidad and Tobago has not accessed the available funds from the European Union for the benefits of the Cane farmers;

BE IT RESOLVED that the Government of Trinidad and Tobago take immediate steps to access the funds from the European Union and disburse same to the former Cane Farmers of Caroni (1975) Ltd.;

AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Government consult with, and keep the Cane Farmers informed at regular intervals on the progress being made with respect to the drawdown of the said funds from the European Union.

(By Senator Dr. Jennifer Kernahan)