The PUP also has a position on the still unfolding crisis in the Sugar Industry. Today, Opposition Leader Francis Fonseca told us that Government is encouraging the farmers to break away from the Belize Sugar Cane Farmers Association.
He said that the country will not forget this maneuver:
Hon. Francis Fonseca, PUP Leader
"This is a national issue. We've consistently made the point we need to get the crop open. This is vital to the national economy of Belize, vital to the economy of the north and the caneros and their families. But we absolutely condemn any effort by the government of Belize to undermine the BSCFA. We think that is a absolute mistake. We believe it is a very dangerous road for the government to be traveling. The BSCFA, the representatives of the farmers they have always been an integral part of the industry. This industry has grown and has develop and been successful because we have a had a very tripartite relationship; government, BSI, the private sector, the miller and caneros, the farmers, represented by BSCFA. To remove one of those key players, to undermine one of those key players is an absoluye mistake that will certainly not be forgotten by the farmers and the people of Belize and so the government has to do everything possible and this is the problem that we've had; the government has been absolutely asleep at the wheel on this issue for a very long time and it did not become actively engaged and involved until this issue became a political crisis for Mr. Barrow and his government. Then suddenly they became interested and that is why we've reached this point. The blame for the crisis we are in has to be placed squarely at the feet of Mr. Barrow, his Deputy Prime Minister who is the Minister of Agriculture, the leaders of the SICB - they have been asleep on this issue every step of the way."
At yesterday's press conference, Prime Minister Dean Barrow pointed fingers to the PUP along with others as the chief architects who cause the amended cane compromise deal to fail. He said Government has done its best to protect the BSCFA:
Hon. Dean Barrow, Prime Minister
"The reason we have delayed all this time since 2010 is because we wished to preserved the integrity and position of the BSCFA. We violated a court order in order to protect the BSCFA. They talk about George Price's vision for the industry, but they are the ones now pushing what inevitably will lead to the breakup of the BSCFA."
Fonseca told us that the Prime Minister is trying to deflect blame and that the Opposition Party has consulted, but remained at a respectful distance at the request of the farmers.
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