Sugarcane farmers bitter about imports

Sugarcane farmers bitter about imports

SURABAYA, East Java: Hundreds of sugarcane farmers staged a
protest at the provincial legislature on Thursday, demanding the
government limit sugar imports because they were undermining the
price of local sugar.

Spokesman for the protesters Ridwan said imported sugar was
cheaper than the local product, and the farmers wanted a higher
import tax to be imposed.

"The government seems to neglect farmers, so we expect
legislators to press the government about this," Ridwan said.

East Java Governor Imam Utomo said he would conduct a special
market operation to limit imported sugar passing through Tanjung
Perak Port. (nur/dja)