Alongside aquaculture, there has also been a great deal of talk regarding a transition to ethanol in the sugar industry. It has been argued that there exists a significant windfall from such a transition and this should be pursued with great haste. Parallel to those arguments that glitter of gold, we are knowledgeable of several studies which undermine the arguments that are being made. Those empirical studies have demonstrated that ethanol only becomes viable at a certain point. That point, we might add, is much lower than the current selling price of sugar. It appears to negate the argument.
We hold that the industry’s pilot ethanol plant should be used to prove or disprove the merits of the arguments from both sides. We of the GAWU are supportive of measures that would bring about improvement. At the same time, we hold, that any initiative must be thoroughly studied and examined to determine the feasibility of such venture in the first place. Doing otherwise, we contend, is akin to putting the cart before the horse.
