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The Sugar Industry is coming off a season of record sugar production, but as we told you last week, the management of ASR/BSI and the largest cane farmers group, which is the Belize Sugar Cane Farmers Association, aren't exactly seeing eye to eye on one key issue.  That’s the 
2015 cane purchase agreement.  BSI wants to remove the three-year opt-out clause and allow the contract to run for its full term until 2022.

But the Belize Sugar Cane Farmers Association don't want to get locked in like that, and, in fact, they want to re-open the discussion on how much they get paid for bagasse.  

And, tonight, that has ASR/BSI pressing the panic button.  The company sent out an ominous press release today.  It stresses, quote, “With the exception of BSCFA, all industry stakeholders have supported this initiative, including the Corozal Sugar Cane Producers Association, the Progressive Sugar Cane Producers Association and the Government of Belize.â€￾

It continues, “Rather than join the rest of the industry…BSCFA has proposed changes which amount to a comprehensive revision of the contract, including the payment for bagasse. Any re-negotiation of these changes would lead the industry into a further period of stalemate and uncertainty…at a time farmers can least afford it.â€￾ 

And then the company warns, quote, “BSI is unable under law to accept cane from farmers who do not have a cane purchase agreement in place. Therefore, if the agreement is terminated, BSI will not be able to accept cane from Belize Sugar Cane Farmers Association (BSCFA) farmers.â€￾ 
And after driving that rather sharp and divisive wedge, BSI then says its only sending out this press release because the BSCFA did not want to include the company in outreach meetings.  The company says it is available to visit farmers and also invites farmers to the mill to see for themselves what is planned.