The sugar cane season began on November 26th but this morning a contingent of cane farmers from Orange Walk weren't in the fields, they were in court. In October the farmers filed a claim for constitutional redress - challenging the Sugar Industry Act - which basically forces them to join and pay fees to the Belize Cane Farmers Association. Well at least 948 farmers from Orange Walk don't want to be a part of the Cane Farmers Association and earlier this year formed the United Cane Farmers Association. Members Efrain Zetina and Wilfredo Magana led the delegation to court were as well as their attorney Hubert Elrington.
Efrain Zetina, Cane Farmer
"The farmers are fed up with all the things that have been happening in the Belize Cane Farmers Association and because of that the farmers that have signed up to the new association, the United Cane Farmers Association are farmers that are willing to survive the future of the industry. Because of the reforming of the complete industry, the European market, the European Union's decision that has been made, so that Belize can survive in the European industry, Belize has to reform and one of the thing is that we must have clarity within the association and government knows about this but they haven't done anythning. So because of that we have a couple hundred farmers that have come together and said we need to do something for us to survive and that is why we are here today."
Wilfredo Magana, Cane Farmer
"We couldn't get any service or clearance as to what was happening with the money and so we decided if we maintain ourselves in this industry, or survive in the industry then what we need to do is to unite as one body and look at the future - what we want for ourselves and the industry in the future. So basically we have come together and seek for some legal advice."
Keith Swift,
Currently under the law you have to be a member of the Cane Farmer's Association?
Efrain Zetina,
"Yes that's the old association yes."
Keith Swift,
But you don't want to?
Efrain Zetina,
"No well according to our lawyers it is unconstitutional. Nobody can force you to be a member of only one association."
Hubert Elrington, Attorney for Farmers
"They are saying the present Sugar Cane Act forces them to become members of the Belize Sugar Cane Association forces them to take monies out of their pocket, or out of their bank and pay as contribution to that association and tells them that if they want to work, in the field of sugar production or manufacturing they must be members of that association. It violates their right to freedom of association."
The claim was filed in October but today GOB was a no show. Instead of proceeding without a response from GOB, the Chief Justice adjourned the case until January 28th.
