Last week, there was some rare good news in the sugar industry when the second payment came in at a record high. But, the reality in the background is that the central problem in the industry persists since there is still no commercial agreement between the largest growers association - which is the BSCFA and the miller, which is ASR/BSI.
The present interim agreement will expire on November 16th and the question is will there be a new commercial agreement in place for next season?
It's a question we put to Minister of Agriculture Jose Mai this afternoon when we caught up with him at an M.O.U. signing in Belmopan. Here's his very measured, very pessimistic response.
Jose Mai, Minister Of Agriculture
"No, no, certainly not. We are supposed to be meeting with BSCFA either tomorrow or the day after to re-start the process for the commission of inquiry as you recall Cabinet approved the Commission of inquiry be carried out so we need to work on that. It was delayed before because they had the fair trade problem and then we had the import regulation problem and so one thing less to another but Cabinet's position stands that we must continue, carry on, and prepare for the commission of inquiry which we will do."
