It may have happened almost four years ago but ASR/BSI isn't going to let it pass. They are suing the Belize Sugar Cane Farmers Association for Unlawful interference with business for blocking the factory in December of 2021, preventing other cane farmers from delivering their cane.
It's a case that pits these adversarial partners against each other before a High Court judge.
And it may take up to three days of arguments by ASR/BSI, the Cane Farmers and the Attorney General, who is also appearing with the farmers.
At the conclusion of today's arguments at 5:30 this evening, we spoke to the attorney for BSI ASR:
Godfrey Smith, Attorney for BSI ASR
"In which we are seeking damages against the BSCFA (Belize Sugar Cane Farmers Association) damages arising out of losses to BSI, flowing from an illegal unlawful blockade of BSI's factory, preventing BSI's from freely engaging in business with other cane farmers that wanted to supply cane. That's the essence of the claim."
"We are at a still very early stage where only two of three witnesses on behalf of BSI has given evidence. There are still about three witnesses on behalf of BSCFA, as well as two expert witnesses."
"So it's set for a three-day trial and more than likely we will go the full three days. It was in the media, in your television station, that the government of Belize promised the BSCFA to indemnify them."
"And more than that, they have sent attorneys from the AG's ministry to represent the BSCFA. BSCFA isn't a part of the government, it's a private association. And so you have a very unusual and unique situation of the state, at taxpayers' expenses, providing representation to a private association."
"But so yes, the answer to your question is they did promise that they will handle everything if BSCFA were to be sued by BSI, which they have been."
Smith is working alongside attorney Hector Guerra, while the BSCFA is currently being represented by Marissa Longsworth and Samantha Matute from the AG's ministry.
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