FROM THE CHAIR

By Owen Menkens CANEGROWERS Chairman

With the start to the 2023 crush dampened in many districts because of increased rain events that have prevented access to the paddocks, it can be difficult not to focus on the challenges like the weather, the recent changes to electricity tariffs and a volatile Australian dollar to name a few.

But there have also been some great news stories in the media recently about our industry, and the global price and demand for our quality Queensland sugar remains high.

We have just sent a shipment of sugar to London as part of the new Australia-United Kingdom Free Trade Agreement (A-UKFTA) and the Queensland Government’s vote of confidence in the industry’s ability to provide feedstock for biofuels is a welcome recognition.

On 14 July the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) Joint Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA) released their assessments on the health impacts of the synthetic sweetener aspartame.

Aspartame is an artificial (chemical) sweetener widely used in various food and beverage products since the 1980s, including diet drinks, chewing gum, gelatin, ice cream, dairy products such as yogurt, breakfast cereal, toothpaste and medications such as cough drops and chewable vitamins.

The two entities conducted independent but complementary reviews to assess the potential carcinogenic hazard and other health risks associated with aspartame consumption and we welcome the science-based caution over potential health issues associated with the use of artificial sweeteners. This reaffirms the value of sticking with natural sugars in a balanced and nutritious diet.

Conversations like these in the media help to inform the general public on the things that we already know – our industry is humming and will remain so well into the future.

In fact, independent research found that in the 2020-21 year alone, Queensland’s sugar industry contributed $3.8 billion to the state’s economy and supported almost 20,000 direct and indirect jobs.

Our industry is a driving force of our regional towns, and as the weather clears we will get to see the industry active and busy again, supporting our local communities.