So, since the pause will be lifted next Monday, we wondered if that quick resolution means that the SICB won't be facing any legal challenges. You'll remember how ASR's "Mac" McLachlan publicly disclosed that their attorneys wrote the SICB chairman a lawyer letter arguing that he was exposing this governing organization to a lawsuit for their blockade.
The smaller cane farming associations also informed Osorio via letter that they hold the SICB responsible for any loss of earnings for whatever length of time the industry is forced to stay shut down. By their count, that's an entire 7 days of non-productivity. Here's what Osorio said about that:
Reporter
"Do you believe then that this removes any liability from the entity that you represent?"
Marcos Osorio - Chairman, SICB
"I cannot answer to that, I would rather say that question to be asked to AS/BSI. I think we know that Mac McLachlan had said we will seek legal redress, and any of the stakeholders are free to be guided by their own principles, I cannot speak to that, I would say rather ask who have said it but I can say that as SICB chairman on the sugar industry control board also we have a huge responsibility in ensuring the welfare of farmers, the welfare for everyone involved in the sugar industry."
Reporter
"You don't think having withheld the gazetting of the start date that does open you, SICB to legal challenge?"
Marcos Osorio
"That is here and that is there, all I can say and it's in the law that the SICB need to convene, rectify and approve the start and end date of the harvest season, in the past we were used to start and finish without any announcement or gazette but by passing the law, that is a different story, we're simply saying the law provides for the SICB to approve the start even after the consultation for them then it comes to the board for official approval and gazetting."
