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Mexico sugar cane growers
protest gov't opposition to law

Mexico City / EFE
07/29/2005

Some 15,000 Mexican sugar cane growers brought traffic to a halt in Mexico City in a massive march protesting the administration's decision to pose objections to a new law providing support for the sector.

Though organizers said some 30,000 protesters took part in the march, a Public Safety Secretariat spokesman estimated half that number.

On Tuesday, the president's office issued 12 objections to the Sugar Cane Sustainable Development Act, which legislators are scheduled to review beginning on Sept. 1.

The law enacted by the Mexican Congress would make the state implement policies and programs to boost sugar cane production and sales through various supports and incentives.

Some 2.5 million Mexicans depend on the sugar cane industry, which accounts for some 500,000 jobs. Mexico 's sugar cane production totaled 4.9 tons in the harvest that concluded in mid-2004.