Email

Print

It's a dire situation, and the Prime Minister cancelled a trip to a Caricom-Cuba summit to return home yesterday for crisis meetings today. The first was held with the executive and branch chairmen of the Belize Sugar Cane Farmers Association. That took place at 10:00 am at the Biltmore - and by 11:30 - it was over. We spoke to both sides:..

Ezequiel Cansino - Chair, Com of Mgmt, BSCFA
"The issue was on the bagasse that they didn't agree on the proposal. So we present to the Prime Minister the proposal that we had presented to them."

Mike Rudon, Ch5
"The BSCFA presented a proposal to BSI before. Today what you all presented to the Prime Minister, was that even more flexible or are you all sticking to what you presented to the BSI?"

Ezequiel Cansino - Chair, Com of Mgmt, BSCFA
"Yes, we believe that it is more flexible. In deed we are going too far being flexible, but we are trying our best to get to an agreement and we hope that this time we get through with this impasse and if not we will seek other options."

Mike Rudon, Ch5
"Have you communicated to the Prime Minister that it is reaching that point where farmers are becoming increasingly incline to protest?"

Ezequiel Cansino - Chair, Com. of Mgmt, BSCFA
"Obviously and he is well aware of that. I don't know if he was just kidding, but he said in that case he would be ready to join us on that protest if that is the solution for us to get in an agreement."

Prime Minister Dean Barrow
"All I will do is to repeat again that I think the famers are showing a great deal of flexibility and I believe that we are in the position where we can get this thing done."

Mike Rudon, Ch5
"Are you a little bit disappointed in the position taken by BSI/ASR at this point to still be holding out (so to speak)?"

Prime Minister Dean Barrow
"Well I would be if after I meet with them there is no agreement."

Jules Vasquez
"Do you feel the farmers are justified if they would choose to stage a protest?"

Prime Minister Dean Barrow
"We have this last chance. I think it is a last chance and I believe the farmers will wait to see what comes out of my discussion with ASR."

Jules Vasquez
"Are you confident you will be able to move them (you said you don't want to talk specific) in the critical areas?"

Prime Minister Dean Barrow
"I believe that there is the possibility there is room in which to maneuver."

Jules Vasquez
"Will we have the commencement of a season before Christmas you think?"

Prime Minister Dean Barrow
"That is certainly the hope and the expectation, yes I feel."

Jules Vasquez
"That we will have it before Christmas."

Prime Minister Dean Barrow
"I feel yes."

Jules Vasquez
"But you think any chance this week?"

Prime Minister Dean Barrow
"I don't think before next week."

And so that's where it stands tonight - definitely no start to the crop season this week - and both sides remaining at a standoff. The Prime Minister is expected to meet with ASR/BSI on Wednesday or Thursday - but it hasn't been confirmed yet.