Mai Says Sugar Amendment Bill “Corrects” What Associations Do Not Seem Able to Do

The Sugar Industry Amendment Bill seeks to give the Minister of Agriculture the authority to receive and deal with disputes and complaints brought to the Sugar Control Board. The Government of Belize is accusing some Sugar Cane Associations of not holding regular elections, and as a result operating without a clear mandate from its members. Minister of Agriculture, Abelardo Mai, asserts that those seeking to represent cane farmers must not be allowed to hold onto office without being accountable and continuing to submit themselves to the people they lead, the cane farmers. The Sugar Amendment Bill seeks to give the Minister of Agriculture the power to make a decision on these kinds of disputes. Minister Mai spoke to the Bill during last Friday’s sitting of the House of Representatives.

Abelardo Mai, Minister of Agriculture

“The industry is vulnerable and we must be very attentive to disruptions or the situations that may escalate endangering and putting at risk the bread and butter of the North. This amendment Bill seeks to correct whatever internal problems may exist by giving the Sugar Industry Control Board the power to address the situation in a fair and transparent manner, and ultimately the minister. This amendment seeks to correct what Associations do not seem to be able to do among themselves. It is to de-escalate that situation that can rupture and cause major chaos in the industry.”