NOVEMBER 24, 2015: THOUGH a small group of sugar cane growers in the Burdekin have exercised their right to sign up with Wilmar mills for the 2017 season this hardly resolves the marketing issue for the vast majority of growers who are fighting for the right to say no to the foreign-owned miller.About 30 independent growers signed interim arrangements for the 2017 season.But this is not a deal which has been accepted by any collective, as both Pioneer Cane Growers and Burdekin District Cane Growers groups remain opposed to Wilmar’s plans to take full control of the marketing of sugar.CANEGROWERS Queensland and the Australian Cane Farmers Association also remain opposed.A small number of individuals have opted to accept the Wilmar deal, and that is their choice.But all the other growers in the Burdekin, and beyond, are looking for choice as well.They want to be able to choose to say yes or no to Wilmar; they want to be able to choose who markets their sugar.Though Wilmar executives claim the small sign-on “proves” legislation is not need to resolve the marketing impasse, it does nothing of the sort.The overwhelming majority of growers are sticking to their guns on this issue, as they do not want to be dictated to by foreign-owned millers who promise one thing and deliver another.The State Labor Government can quickly resolve this issue and provide the industry with the security it needs by passing the bill which will be before them next week.