ICCC studying growers’ bid

 THE Independent Consumer and Competition Commission (ICCC) is trying to determine whether to allow a group of oil palm growers to enter into a contract with millers.

Already, it has issued a draft application for the Hoskins Oil Palm Growers Association Inc, which is seeking permission to negotiate directly with millers New Britain Palm Oil Ltd (NBPOL) and Hargy Oil Palm Ltd regarding the prices of oil palm fresh fruit bunch (FFB) and other matters.

ICCC said in a statement: “The second application, if authorised, will mean that the three parties can now enter into negotiations, which lead to a contractual agreement on prices for FFB prices and other terms and conditions.”

Commissioner and chief executive Dr Billy Manoka said the submissions received on the second application had been from the millers.

The ICCC had given interested parties the chance to request for a pre-decision conference on the draft application, within 10 days from Monday (Nov 4).

If no request was received by Nov 14, ICCC may call a conference if it deemed appropriate, wherein all interested parties would be informed of the details (of the conference). 

A final decision would be made later. 

Dr Manoka said the application did not relate to the outcome of the FFB pricing formula review funded by the World Bank and undertaken by its consultants.

He said it was about entering into negotiations by the growers’ organisation with the millers on prices and related terms and conditions.