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He presented the position of the farmers and his Government at this meeting, which lasted for about 1 hour and a half. Afterward, he came out and told the media that even though both sides realize that this disagreement has gone on long enough, they are still a ways off from a resolution:

Prime Minister Dean Barrow
"We've put our position to ASR. They will now reflect on that, consult among themselves and give us an answer in the shortest possible time, without actually saying tomorrow or the day after. They said they will get back to us in the shortest possible time."

Mike Rudon, reporter Ch. 5
"Sir, is ASR still sticking to its positions that bagasse is not a bi-product of sugarcane?"

Prime Minister Dean Barrow
"They will give us an answer on our position and you know what our position is. So, until they give us that answer, I can't say what the mindset is. They have listened to us, we had a frank discussion, but I don't even know if those that are here can make the decision on their own. I believe there are other principals with whom they must speak before they give a final answer."

Reporter
"Have they given a timeline as to when?"

Prime Minister Dean Barrow
"That's what I've said, as soon as possible, but they haven't said tomorrow. Both sides have agreed that it has to be sooner rather later. Times are wasting and we need for the crop to start. We need to begin to fix the road, so they are well aware of that. It is in their interest to give us that answer as quick as possible. We have no doubt that they will do that."

Daniel Ortiz
"Everyone knows that it's best for everyone that it starts December 15th, latest."

Prime Minister Dean Barrow
"I'm not sure about December 15th, if you talk to the experts, people like the Deputy and Minister Pat who is a cane farmer. They will tell you that it may be a vein hope. The experts will tell you about sucrose content and what the weather conditions have done. So, I don't think December 15th...."

Reporter
"This is a high level meeting and you said that they didn't send people who seem to make a decision..."

Prime Minister Dean Barrow
"ASR is a global company, the people that are here are extremely high level, but I don't think that they can make the decision without the input of perhaps the rest of their board. There are other principals. If there are 10 key people, they couldn't send the whole ten. So they need to consult with other principals that are just as high ranking as they are."

Reporter
"After they've sent the position on the bagasse issue, will there be a meeting with you again with their representatives?"

Prime Minister Dean Barrow
"It depends on what they say, there will certainly have to be another meeting between us and the farmers because I will have to convey the ASR position to the farmers in order, depending on what that position is in order for there to be any possibility on starting the crop. So I am afraid it is a bit of a complicated dance, there are several steps, but we just have to proceed, we just have to press on."

Reporter
"Is this what you expected PM?"

Prime Minister Dean Barrow
"We knew that their negotiators would have to refer back to the larger grouping, so we did not expect an answer today. There is no disappointment yet."

After the meeting, the ASR representatives were very reluctant to speak with us about the issue, but we did manage to get a brief comment from ASR's Vice President of Technical Services:

Daniel Ortiz
"Can we ask you for an interview sir?"

Ricardo Lima, Vice President, ASR
"We continue to try to find ways to bring the farmers back to the table. That basically what I wanted to say."

Reporter
"Have you send another email to them, to the president of the association?"

Ricardo Lima, Vice President, ASR
"Not yet."

So, that's how the situation looks, there are at least 2 more meetings which need to take place, and as we've told you, experts say that December 15, which is this coming Sunday, is the latest the crop season can start without major losses. We'll keep following the situation.