Senators Mason and Trood have met with cane growers from the Mackay region to discuss issues of importance to the industry and the local economy.

"Sugarcane brings in up to $2.5 billion in revenue a year to the Australian economy. It is one of the most important rural industries, particularly along the central and northern coast of Queensland," Senator Mason said.

"That our local growers can produce one of the lowest cost sugarcane and raw sugar in the face of stiff overseas competition is testimony to their hard work, good management and efficiency."

One of the topics discussed was the work done by Queensland cane growers to minimise the environmental impact of their agricultural activity.

"The growers should be congratulated for their practical, hands-on support for our environment. Their experience shows that you can achieve profitability and high yields without damaging local ecology," Senator Trood said.

The growers, however, face continuing challenges in their efforts on that front, most recently from the new reef regulations introduced by the State Government.

"The growers we spoke to are as keen as everyone else to do their bit to preserve the environment for our children and grandchildren, but they are concerned that the regulation was rushed and is inflexible and onerous,'' Senator Trood said.

"They are also finding it difficult to get information about how to comply with the new requirements."

Queensland growers account for 95 per cent of raw sugar produced in Australia.

"Any new laws and regulations by the state government therefore have huge impact on the whole of the industry and its capacity to successfully export 80 per cent of its produce," Senator Mason said.

"The growers, and the local communities they contribute to, deserve better service from the state government than that."

Senator Trood said that under the previous federal Coalition government the Sugar Industry Reform Program 2004 had delivered more than $287 million in assistance to approximately 7000 farmers, harvesters and mills.

"It was both the short term measures to get the industry through its immediate difficulties, and longer-term measures to help it reform."