Julie-Ann Bradley is Appointed Mediator in Sugar Impasse

Julie-Ann Bradley

The 2022-2023 sugar crop is scheduled to commence in two weeks, on December nineteenth, but still there is no resolution to the impasse between the Belize Sugar Cane Farmers Association and American Sugar Refinery/Belize Sugar Industries Ltd.  After almost a year of back and forth, in late October, both parties finally agreed to the services of a mediator, but it wasn’t until last week that attorney Julie-Ann Bradley was selected. Agriculture Minister Jose Abelardo Mai confirmed her selection and the expectations with the media today.

Jose Abelardo Mai

Jose Abelardo Mai, Minister of Agriculture, Food Security & Enterprise

“She was the mediator that both parties agreed upon and today at two o’clock we’ll have the first mediating session – today and tomorrow. If they have not arrived at anything after tomorrow, they will reconvene on Friday. But I am optimistic and I do believe that there will still be a crop.”

Duane Moody

“But time is running out…”

Jose Abelardo Mai

“…and that’s why I am saying that today and tomorrow is critical for the mediating team.

Reporter

“So do you expect that giving the way things are playing out right now, there seems to be a breakthrough – I mean this mediator is considered a breakthrough – do you think that it will be ready in time for the proposed date which is December nineteenth?”

Jose Abelardo Mai

“I suspect so. I think both sides want the crop to start.”