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We also asked the PM for an update on the sugar saga. As you know, the Belize Sugar Cane Farmers Association feels that Fairtrade premiums have been unfairly held from them. And now, FLOCERT has suspended BSI/ASI from signing any Fairtrade contracts. The PM said today that the government is doing what it can to mediate a messy situation.
John Briceño, Prime Minister
"Government has been doing everything possible, as you know, we set up a subcommittee comprised of Honorable Kareem Musa who heads the team with Minister Mai and Minister Mira. They have been meeting with BSI, they met with Julia Clarke, who represents Tate and Lyle, and our objective is to ensure that BSCFA can be paid their premiums but it requires from both ends, apparently Julia Clarke is saying that there are certain conditions that the BSCFA, just like any other associations, have to meet. Now, as to whether their cane was sold last year under the Fairtrade and they did not get the money, if that were to happen that they sold BSCFA sugar for Fairtrade premiums, then I think BSI would have a responsibility to ensure that BSCFA get their premium. If that happened, we don't know, and so that's a part of the discussions that we're having with BSI to get to the bottom of it."
