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And, these associations believe that political interference in the industry is creating an unstable environment - which does not bode well at a time when production is down to in part to climate change:
Cosme Hernandez, Gm, Progressive Sugar Cane Producers
"Our concern basically with BSI is the fair trade agreement. I think political interference can really affect us all. Whereby at the end of the day I say that I'll decide, okay, I would like to source my fair trade sugar from a different country because of too much political interference that's been happening lately. That's the concern that our members have."
Jules Vasquez:
"Well the Minister of Agriculture has told them plainly that if they can't follow the the laws in Belize, then they need to pack up and go. What's your reaction to that?"
Cosme Hernandez, Gm, Progressive Sugar Cane Producers
"I think the Minister of Agriculture has made several comments. Even at a meeting that the occurred a few months ago, at Muffle's Auditorium whereby he publicly announced getting fertilizers from Morocco for one association only. And really instead of uniting the association, he's causing a division. I think that instead of the government interfering with the fair trade premiums. Interfering with existing agreements between organizations, between associations and the bill."
"I think they should be focusing in improving productivity for the sugar cane producers because that's a big challenge right now. This current year I can speak right now at the moment that we will be losing over 30% of production."
Vladimar Puc, Chairman, Corozal Sugar Cane Production Association
"It is closer to $20 milllion that will have in loss due to the climate change. And that is something that will not be in our pockets. A very good price is being shared worldwide at the moment with sugar. Premiums that we are enjoying and the right now trying to accommodate the BSCFA with these regulations. To their request is destabilizing the industry, killing the mill, the only mill we have in the country up North. Yeah, that is the one that we are surviving with. Meanwhile that is happening, the farmers from the BSCFA are literally dying. Their kidney fields are dying because they need inputs, agro inputs."
