It's January 2014, and the cane season still hasn't started; what's worse is no one can say for sure when or if it will start. A part of the reason is the heavy rains since August, but the largest part of it is the still simmering dispute over bagasse.
The latest timetable says that the season must start on January 15, but once again, the stalemate between the cane farmers and the factory owners continues, so the season may not begin on that date.
The latest disagreement between both sides is that BSI wants to negotiate with the farmers on a payment for bagasse, but the farmers want them to put it in writing that a payment will be made before any meaningful negotiations can begin.
That fairly fundamental difference led to today where the branch chairmen of the Belize Sugar Cane Farmers Association met to discuss the latest letter to the association from BSI on New Year's Eve.
They also discussed an MOU that is in the works to be presented to the Prime Minister; the BSFCA says it is beneficial to all parties and we asked them to discuss it with us after that meeting. Here's what the Vice-Chairman of the Committee of Management told us:
Alfredo Ortega - Vice-Chair: BSCFA
"We had a meeting today to look up on the letter that BSI had sent us on the 31st of December and to take a decision on it today."
Mike Rudon - Reporter, Ch 5
"What came out of that?"
Alfredo Ortega - Vice-Chair: BSCFA
"We will be sending a letter to BSI today this afternoon to hold a meeting with them between Monday of next week."
Daniel Ortiz
"We were made to understand that you guys have drafted an MOU. Is that in the works or has that happened?"
Alfredo Ortega - Vice-Chair: BSCFA
"The lawyer is working on it. We sent it yesterday to the Prime Minister indicating to him that we would want to have a meeting with him where we can sign an MOU between BSCFA, BSI and the Government of Belize and the lawyer is working on that presently."
"We are looking forward in something that transpired in 2010 when BSI was in financial problems when we were called to sign an MOU together, so that they can get the 10 million dollars from the Government. We are seeking something favorable in that same regard."
Daniel Ortiz
"How hopeful are you guys that the Prime Minister will support or endorse this MOU that you have in the works to prepare?"
Alfredo Ortega - Vice-Chair: BSCFA
"When we met with the Prime Minister in the two different occasions, he said that whenever we are unable to reach to a dialogue with BSI that he will be ready to jump into the picture and to have something clear where we can both agree upon."
Daniel Ortiz
"Sir, can I ask you a couple of points that BSI has presented? I know the strongest point that they have made heard is the fact that they feel as if though the cane farmers are trying to strong arm them. Do you guys believe or have you guys considered that aspect of their argument; that they feel as if though you weren't giving them any legroom for negotiation even though you are asking for a negotiation."
Alfredo Ortega - Vice-Chair: BSCFA
"No, I think we have asked from the very beginning, from since December when we send our letter since we started negotiations in July. We started in July because they were the ones that brought the dates way down to that to start negotiations. We have always been open with them to come to the table and let us negotiate."
"What we are looking for is something that really demonstrates that yes there would be a payment for bagasse. The thing with them is that they are coming with only discussions; coming around and beating around the bush. We want something that is frank and that is clear that demonstrate that yes this will happen."
Daniel Ortiz
"BSI/ASR has said that that is too much of a request that the farmers are requesting. How reasonable is it to expect that the Prime Minister will endorse that if BSI has already said look, the cane farmers are pushing this issue too far. We can't commit this into writing because we give up our right to negotiate on this matter?"
Alfredo Ortega - Vice-Chair: BSCFA
"Look, when we were called in 2010 to go and be part of the round table to negotiate so that BSI can get the 10 million dollars that they were asking the government as a relief on their situation that they had, they didn't come with all these sorts of things. We were there and we negotiated in good faith and we were able to sign along with them so that they can be able to get that help."
"What we are looking for is that the Prime Minister is the Prime Minister of the nation, he is the Prime Minister of Belize and what we asking from him is that he should be taking care of us the cane farmers as any other Belizean in the country. We are not asking for anything out of the government pocket. What we are asking is something that is being a benefit to BSI and we are asking a share out of that because they are using our bagasse."
This evening, 7News contacted Prime Minister Dean Barrow for a comment, but up until news time, he had not responded.
The BSFCA will propose that they meet with BSI next week, after which, they will return to their general membership to report to them on the updates. No one is sure how long discussion on this new development will take, but Ortega told the media today that he isn't confident that they will meet the January 15 deadline.
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