B.S.C.F.A. Say New Sugar Legislations Is an “Intervention Not Interference”

The Belize Sugarcane Farmers Association (B.S.C.F.A.) held a press conference this afternoon in Orange Walk Town to respond to concerns raised on Friday by two other sugarcane farmers associations.  As we reported on Friday, the Progressive Sugarcane Producers Association and the Corozal Sugarcane Producers Association warned the Government of Belize against political interference in matters pertaining to the affairs of Fairtrade in Belize. Their caution was in direct response to the newly implemented Sugar Industry Regulations which they describe as intrusive and a potential deterrent for Fairtrade. But, the B.S.C.F.A. has a different view. They argue that the legislation come as an intervention and not interference.  

Javier Keme

Javier Keme, Chairman, B.S.C.F.A. Fairtrade Compliance Committee

“And I heard in the press conference of the other two associations was mentioned the word interference, government interference. I think there is a difference between interference and intervention. Interference is most likely to do harm and damage and intervention is most likely in a positive way to try to find solutions or better things for the industry in our case. So, I think the intervention of the government. I would even say that it is a bit late, because the request was made many months ago to take action on the issues that the industry was going through. The action that the government started by implementing legislation that was already in place, but the industry had functioned well up to when this negotiation process started. It was seen by the government to bring stabilization to what is happening within the industry. And it begs the question, what is ASR asking for? If you see the trend ASR has been going, they want a deregulated industry.”