SUGAR: SOLIDIFYING THE INDUSTRY

(FAIRNESS TO FARMERS … STRENGTHENING THE INDUSTRY)

The Government of Belize is making big steps to strengthen the sugar industry by implementing new regulations. These new regulations will bring about fairness for farmers, greater accountability from BSI/ASR and a stronger sugar industry.

Statutory Instrument #62 of 2023 will be tabled in the House of Representatives on May 19, 2023 in Belmopan. This legal instrument will now allow for BSI/ASR to be required to disclose the amount of sugar that they market, the amount of certified sugar that is contracted and marketed, and any premiums or benefits due to certified producers, from the volumes of sugar cane produced and delivered.

Minister of Agriculture, Jose Abelardo Mai, provided comment on the new regulations: “this regulation protects them (BSI/ASR) and it protects the farmers. It protects them from doing unethical things; you can’t take the farmers’ sugar, sell it and not pay them. If we continue to do things like this, we will end up in the bad books. The farmers are going to Amnesty International because they are still owed monies from last year. This will look bad on BSI/ASR and on the country. We cannot allow that to happen. So, this regulation protects the industry, more importantly.”

The good news for the farmers is that the new regulations will prevent the 2022 case of non-payment from reoccurring. Back in 2022, the Belize Sugar Cane Farmers Association members did not receive their monies for that year, even though their sugar was being sold with Fairtrade premiums. At that time, BSI/ ASR rebelled and had refused to disclose to the association, the volumes of sugar sold with Fairtade premiums.

When the PUP Area Representatives go to the House Meeting on Friday, May 19, the new SI will be tabled; not for debate, not for negotiations, and not for a vote. It will be tabled so the farmers can reap the benefits of their blood, sweat and tears invested in the canefields.