FEBRUARY 25, 2015: IF you've got something to say about negotiations with millers and the marketing of sugar, I'd like to hear from you.We've posed the question of a Code of Conduct within the industry, and as Chairman of the Government's taskforce on this issue I am now asking farmers, grower organisations and millers to provide input.Please make a submission to ensure you're contributing to the debate.The Sugar Marketing Code of Conduct Taskforce was created to consider if a code of conduct was needed for the industry and if such a code should be mandatory.[box style="1 or 2"]Submissions should include any information or recommendations particularly with reference to:• The concept that growers’ have an “economic interest” in the sugar they supply to the mill;• The growers’ ability to choose a marketing entity for their “economic interest”;• Transparency of sugar marketing activities;• The mill supply contract negotiation process;• Protecting growers from discrimination by millers;• Arbitration where agreement cannot be reached as part of a contract negotiation process;• The encourage of investment in high-quality mills, milling procedures and marketing arrangements;• The facilitation of financial returns for growers;• State and Commonwealth Acts relating to the sugar industry and competition; and• Codes of conduct in other industries.Submissions can be made directly to me via email:George.Christensen.MP@aph.gov.auSubmissions close on April 17.[/box] I updated the government on the progress of the taskforce in parliament this morning and urged the new Queensland government to assist.http://youtu.be/L_-SauYGy-gI want to impress on the new Queensland Labor Government the urgency of the matter and the fact they can make changes to the Queensland Sugar Act that would address the issue and provide stability for the industry.Farmers are in limbo at the moment and many are left without contracts for the 2017 season so we would like to see an urgent resolution.If you want to know more about the taskforce, phone my office on 4944 0662.