The issue of a license to be issued to the Belize Food Supply Limited was the topic of discussion today with Minister of Trade and Industry, Vildo Marin and the rice farmers. Before that meeting Marin told us that he hopes the problems can be worked out.
Hon. Vildo Marin, Minister of Trade
"I think both sides have a valid point. The Mennonites have a valid point and the Ministry of Agriculture also has a valid point. The Ministry of Agriculture, as you know, has to ensure that we have food security. As you know rice is a staple in Belize and we have to make sure all the rice, for example, is not exported; that we have enough rice for local consumption. That is one of the main worries of the Ministry of Agriculture and of course one of the reasons of the Mennonites is that well they are the producers and they should have a right to do the marketing. I am hoping we could strike a compromise."
Jules Vasquez,
Have you all made a decision yet? Will they be granted a license to sell their rice independently?
Hon. Vildo Marin,
"No they haven't really made a decision as yet Jules. I did meet with the people from the Ministry of Agriculture to listen to their views and on Saturday I met with the Mennonite community of Blue Creek and I heard their views. Today at 2 o'clock we still have a meeting with both parties and from that meeting we hope that we can get a resolution."
The result of that meeting is that there was no compromise. The only agreement was that the rice producers and the principals of the Marketing Board are going to meet with the Prime Minister to air out their differences before him.
