But, one man who isn't moved by that in the least is Jose Mai. He is the area representative for Orange Walk South where many of the biggest rice farms and production operations are based. That's Blue Creek where he said even though the farmers of that area voted for the UDP he's standing with them against Guyanese rice:
Hon. Jose Mai, Area Rep. - OW South
"Every country has a right to protect its farmers. Some do it legally by putting in the trade agreements and the law that must be respected. Others do it technically. When there is not a problem legally. When we find out that we cannot fight it legally, there is what you call the technical aspect, the technical barriers to trade. In the House of Representatives, I have raised this. I raised it clearly at length and I explained to the national assembly the effects, the negative effects it would have on importing rice from Guyana. It will displace our producers, it will create mass unemployment, it will bring poverty, and it will just cause millions of dollars to be loss. I challenge the government of Belize to do everything in their capacity to stop the importation of Guyanese rice into this country. Although Blue Creek being the mass producer of rice voted for this government, my rights, my responsibility as their area representative is to defend them at all cost."
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