In an unprecedented joint statement, the Leaders of Belize's four major sugarcane farmers' associations have declared a "state of crisis" in the sugar industry, citing catastrophic crop losses from a combination of aggressive pests and the deadly fungus that now threatens the future of the industry.
In a resolution signed yesterday the leaders warned that the industry is reeling from unprecedented biological threats which, quote, "have pushed the industry to a tipping point."
The associations are calling on the Government of Belize to act immediately by implementing key financial and regulatory measures. They argue that sugarcane farmers need sustained income support to ensure long-term sustainability.
The stakeholders have outlined three major areas for immediate government intervention, namely approving increases in the price of Molasses, Domestic Sugar, and Electricity Generation from Bagasse.
The resolution ends with a direct and urgent appeal to the Government of Belize to adopt these measures immediately, warning that inaction could lead to further collapse in production and long-term damage to a critical national industry.
The document was signed by the leadership of all four associations and submitted to the government today. Cabinet met today and we are told they did discuss the sugar industry at length with a visiting ASR executive who flew in this morning to be a guest at the meeting.
