7 News Belize

The Law Straightening Sugar
posted (January 21, 2015)

On Monday we had extensive coverage of the end of the sugar standoff when BSI finally signed with the Belize Sugar Cane Farmers Association, or the BSCFA. Also on that day, the government took the Sugar Industry Amendment Bill to the House of Representatives to make legal provisions for all the smaller farming associations and reaping groups which have emerged in wake of the splintered BSCFA.

Well, with uncommon speed, that Amendment Bill is now a new law known as the Sugar Industry Amendment Act of January 2015. After a senate meeting in which it did receive social partner support, Governor General Sir Colville Young assented to the law yesterday, and the process for its passage is now completed.

A press release from the Government of Belize says, quote, "It will no longer be compulsory for a cane farmer to belong to the Belize Sugar Cane Farmers Association or any other association. The membership of an association shall be entirely voluntary." End Quote.

The act, according to the press release, allows for more than one association of cane farmers to exist. Each new association will be registered and regulated by the Sugar Industries Control Board and as long as they are registered with the SICB, they are a legal entity with all the rights and privileges as the BSCFA. It also means that the millers will be allowed to accept cane from these new associations.

WIth this law now in place, all the associations; the Sugar Industries Control Board; and the millers, BSI/ASR, will all consult on an appropriate start date for the grinding season.

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7 News Belize