Minister of Agriculture Weighs in On B.S.C.F.A./B.S.I. Negotiations Deadlock

So, what will happen in the event that a new agreement is not signed by early December? That is what we asked the Minister of Agriculture when we caught up with him today. Jose Mai was more optimistic than Ortega that an independent mediator will be indentified shortly. But, Minister Mai also said that an interim agreement must be signed between both parties before the start of the crop, while negations continue.

Jose Mai

Jose Mai, Minister of Agriculture

“That we will have an agreement before the crop starts is very difficult. It does not mean that we will not have a crop. The crop can commence with an interim agreement and the crop can be ongoing while the mediation and negotiation is also ongoing. So, it is not like we have to stop doing this because we are doing this. Once there is good faith on both sides we can continue.”

Paul Lopez

“Is that what we are seeing, that there is going to be an interim agreement?”

Jose Mai

“If we don’t have an agreement before the crop starts we will have to have an interim agreement while negotiations/mediation is ongoing.”

Paul Lopez

“What has the interactions been like with the mediator? Have we been able to select a mediator?”

Jose Mai

We are working on that as we speak, as we speak

Paul Lopez

“So, no mediator as yet?”

Jose Mai

“That is in the making. We are about to define who the mediator will be.”