ID :
16760
Sat, 08/23/2008 - 08:00
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/16760
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CALL FOR WITHDRAWAL OF REFINED SUGAR FROM FREE MARKET
Jakarta, August 22 (ANTARA) - Minister of Agriculture Anton Apriyantono has asked the Ministry of Trade to withdraw refined sugar from the market to protect sugarcane growers in the country.
After presiding over a food security meeting at his office in Jakarta Friday he said that refined sugar, used in the food and beverage industry may not be sold in the market for consumption.
When asked what would be the sanction if one still sells refined sugar in the market, Anton said that is for the Ministry of Trade to decide.
However, the agriculture minister, who is also chairman of the Indonesian Sugar Council (DGI) said he was ready to prepare a policy on the matter, for the settlement of the problem of refined sugar sold on the market.
Earlier, the Association of Sugar Experts said that up till now refined sugar for the food and beverages industry is still available in the market as consumption sugar, and therefore disrupted the availability of local sugar.
Deputy Secretary General of the Association of Sugar Experts (Ikagi) Adig Suwandi said that refined sugar is widely available in suparmarkets and traditional markets offered in one or two kilograms packings.
"It is not clear where the refined sugar came from, but the commodity is both locally produced and imported," he said.
As the result of the rampant circulation of refined sugar, he said that the market absorption of local sugar declined. Not to mention the absorption of local sugar by markets outside Java island, which have also dropped significantly.
Therefore members of AGI have urged the government to immediately withdraw refined sugar from the free market, and audit the origins of the commodity.
After presiding over a food security meeting at his office in Jakarta Friday he said that refined sugar, used in the food and beverage industry may not be sold in the market for consumption.
When asked what would be the sanction if one still sells refined sugar in the market, Anton said that is for the Ministry of Trade to decide.
However, the agriculture minister, who is also chairman of the Indonesian Sugar Council (DGI) said he was ready to prepare a policy on the matter, for the settlement of the problem of refined sugar sold on the market.
Earlier, the Association of Sugar Experts said that up till now refined sugar for the food and beverages industry is still available in the market as consumption sugar, and therefore disrupted the availability of local sugar.
Deputy Secretary General of the Association of Sugar Experts (Ikagi) Adig Suwandi said that refined sugar is widely available in suparmarkets and traditional markets offered in one or two kilograms packings.
"It is not clear where the refined sugar came from, but the commodity is both locally produced and imported," he said.
As the result of the rampant circulation of refined sugar, he said that the market absorption of local sugar declined. Not to mention the absorption of local sugar by markets outside Java island, which have also dropped significantly.
Therefore members of AGI have urged the government to immediately withdraw refined sugar from the free market, and audit the origins of the commodity.
