And the Prime Minister is hoping that the Belize Sugar Cane Farmers Association will come around and allow the existing contract with all 3 associations to run its course, instead of forcing re-negotiations, at a time when the industry can least afford it.
Today, he reminded all concerned Belize's sugar industry must withstand the change in the European market, as well as the competition on the world market. Here's how he explained it:
Rt. Hon. Dean Barrow, Prime Minister
"The agreement was to last a certain time, but BSCFA was able to negotiate and opt out at the year 3 or whatever it is and that was the point that we are reaching so they are talking about a renegotiation."
"Clearly, it is important that this matter be sorted out as quickly as possible, because the A.S.R. people want to make this twenty-million dollar investment in factory improvement, in enhancing the efficiency of the factory; but they won't do that unless they can be certain that they have the throughput to justify in fact making the investment. So if the matter isn't sorted out, I fear we will be back to another stalemate and that isn't in anyone's interest."
Reporter
"But you would be willing in a sense to mediate, as you did the last time if it comes to a head, because it appears B.S.C.F.A. won't pull back."
Rt. Hon. Dean Barrow, Prime Minister
"There are now three associations and two out of the three have signed; while B.S.C.F.A. remains the largest, I really hope that they might be persuaded to in fact go the route of the other two associations, so that the industry can move forward. Everybody knows we are facing a crisis next year in terms of what's happening in Europe with the advent of the beet sugar as straight-out competition to our sugar. In those circumstances, in that context, we can't afford to be prejudicing the industry here even further. I am not going to in fact dump on the B.S.C.F.A., I won't go any further than saying that I really hope that they would rethink their position."
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