7 News Belize

Cane Farmers Tell Leader To Stand Strong
posted (December 1, 2014)
Next week Monday, December 8th. is the agreed upon start date for the sugar crop. But, with only days to go, there is still uncertainty if the cane deliveries will start on that day because the cane farmers and BSI/ASR have still has not arrived at an agreement.

As we showed you last week, the Prime Minister, the Deputy Prime Minister, the CEO of the Ministry of Agriculture, the Chairman of the Sugar Industries Control Board, and the 18 Branch Chairmen of the Belize Sugar Cane Farmers Association all met last week Friday. At a press briefing held afterwards, the Prime Minister said that the Cane Farmers Association had moved and there was quote, "a compelling basis to move forward."

But while the concessions - and no one at Friday's meeting would say what they are - were agreed to by the leaders of the cane farmers association, what would the general membership say?

7News was in San Roman village at the Escuela Secundaria Technica Mexico for the meeting and here's what happened:...

Daniel Ortiz reporting
Hundreds of cane farmers showed up for the Annual General Meeting on Saturday. At the height of the meeting, there were very few seats which weren't occupied. Still there were those who chose to stand or linger at the edge of the auditorium.

It was a session of great importance, where many housekeeping and management events needed to have happened. But on this day, the farmers were most interested in the progress of negotiations with BSI/ASR.

This meant that hours of planned events were postponed for a general discussion on what the farmers want collectively for the crop season to start.

It's been well established that there are 3 things that the farmers and the factory owners have refused to compromise on, besides the overarching bagasse issue. There is the issue of independent expert, the ownership of the cane, an interim agreement to start the crop. At Saturday's meeting, the farmers revisited those positions to remind their negotiators and their association.

Ezequiel Cansino - Chair, BSCFA Cmte of Mgmt
"The farmers are firm to have that expert and to start with an interim agreement, but it is obvious and Mr. Alonzo said it, that BSI doesn't want an interim agreement. So we are simply saying if that is so that BSI doesn't want to start a crop with an interim agreement, lets us negotiate with all those 5 issues that are in controversy."

Oscar Alonzo - CEO, BSFCA (Translated)
"In this latest meeting, we the officials of BSCFA, got the opportunity to present the case of the Association. There, it was done, as in various occasions, I presented the Association's justification, as to why an independent expert should be hired, given that BSI has refused to move from its position to negotiate for more than 51 cents as payment for bagasse, also given that BSI refused to move from its position from their formula that is non-negotiable. They're using the fiber as the base to determine the value of bagasse. Also, they are giving the other conditions which are not beneficial to the cane farmers in the new agreement. You know what that condition is. The first is, who is the owner of the cane?"

What both sides continue to agree on is that another late start is undesirable and could be very detrimental to the industry. Each side knows how high the stakes are, but neither is willing to reveal their game plan as the agreed start date inches ever closer.

Daniel Ortiz
"What will happen if there is no interim agreement? Will the cane be delivered on December 8th?"

Ezequiel Cansino - Chair, BSCFA Cmte of Mgmt
"I can't say what will happen because up to now we haven't been confirm that BSI will come to the table, but the government said that as soon as they can they will inform us when we can meet, but up to now we haven't confirm anything yet. I believe that we have to wait for that day to come."

So how long will the farmers wait to see what the factory owners do now? And how will that affect the start of the crop? Even with only 8 days away, there are no definite answers.

Ezequiel Cansino - Chair, BSCFA Cmte of Mgmt
"What we went and affirm to the government that we will be willing to be flexible in those issues, but BSI have to be also flexible. They have to give us something in return, so the negotiation can continue."

Daniel Ortiz
"Everybody agrees that we need to start, but nobody seems to want to make that move to start. What's happening there?"

Ezequiel Cansino - Chair, BSCFA Cmte of Mgmt
"That's what we have said, BSCFA is willing to negotiate and be flexible in some areas."

Reporter
"You said be flexible. I keep hearing that word, but from what farmers keep demanding, there doesn't seem to be any flexibility on their behalf."

Ezequiel Cansino - Chair, BSCFA Cmte of Mgmt
"Yes, I understand that, but the farmers have also been saying that the want something written that if any derivative from our bi-products or from the bagasse comes up, we would like to have shares on that and BSI has said no."

There is still no date announced as yet for a meeting to be held between BSI/ASR and the BSCFA.

We note that at Friday's meeting the BSCFA's outspoken and hardline CEO Oscar Alonzo was not even in the room, and yesterday, he declined an interview.

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