7 News Belize

Cane Farmers Use AGM to Resolve To Get Compensated For Bagasse
posted (November 25, 2013)
Yesterday, the Belize Sugar Cane Farmers Association held its Annual General Meeting. But the business of the meeting was overshadowed by the cloud hanging over the industry. That's the dispute over bagasse; it's the by product of sugar production which is now being used as bio-fuel for electricity; the farmers want to be paid for it, BSI says "no;" they buy it with the sugar, and it's theirs to do with as they wish.

Today, the vice chairman of BSCFA's Committee of Management, Alfredo Ortega told us that at t6he meeting, the farmers took a resolution to strike if they don't get paid:..

Alfredo Ortega, Vice President - Belize Sugar Cane Farmers Association
"The farmers passed a motion reiterating what the two division had passed on the 2nd and 10th November whereby they have place on our shoulders the negotiations with BSI and that there would be no deliveries if we are unable to finalize a negotiation to signed. What we will be doing this week, we will be sending a letter to the Prime Minister to intervene in this issue because what we are seeking for as cane farmers is to finalize this issue as friendly as possible without going to any issue that would be detrimental or negatively impacting the industry."

"What we are looking for is to touch as doors possible where we can have the support of the different people so that we can finalize an amicable solution into this situation."

Geovanni Brackett, reporter
"Do you have faith in BSI to negotiate in good faith with you considering their recent actions?"

Alfredo Ortega, Vice President - Belize Sugar Cane Farmers Association
"That is one of the problems whereby we are seeking intervention from the Government because we have seen that BSI is dragging their foot in this issue that they don't want to negotiate in regards to the bagasse. They are coming with a flat no in regards to this issue and we are saying come let us negotiate, let us share with us part of the use of the bagasse to fuel the BELCOGEN plant."

"If in the question you've asked, BSI really is not acting in a good faith because if they were acting in good faith we should have already finalize with this issue."

Geovanni Brackett, reporter
"Is the current crop ready for delivery and will a delay in start of the season result in any loss to the farmers?"

Alfredo Ortega, Vice President - Belize Sugar Cane Farmers Association
"Of course it will create a loss if we don't start crop. As you know we have been calling for this negotiation from 2010 asking BSI to come and negotiate. Since there were some financial problems that BSI encountered during that time, a pass came by. We sent our proposal to them in December, so that we can finalize this situation before we reach to this date."

Geovanni Brackett, reporter
"What will happen to farmers who defy yesterday's resolution?"

Alfredo Ortega, Vice President - Belize Sugar Cane Farmers Association
"We spoke about that point and they said that those farmers that want to behave disorderly in a way that they won't want to cooperate - that penalties will be placed upon them and that has come from out of the farmers from the meeting that was held yesterday."

You'll hear a response to that position tomorrow when BSI holds a press conference. It'll be a very rare one for the company which is usually reluctant to get into the public fray.

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