Agriculture Minister Says Sugar Regulations Aren’t New
The Ministry of Agriculture and A.S.R./B.S.I. are at odds once again. This time it is over what Agriculture Minister Jose Mai says are existing regulations that are now being “operationalized.” As we reported on Tuesday, the government has proposed the Sugar Industry (License to Import/Export) Regulations for 2023. This gives the Sugar Industry Control Board (S.I.C.B.) the power to impose licensing requirements on individuals involved in the import and export of sugar in Belize. Leading sugar producer A.S.R./B.S.I., while not currently obligated to obtain a license for exporting sugar from Belize, has strongly criticized the proposed legislation. The company referred to the regulations as, (quote), retrograde, unnecessary, burdensome, and discriminatory. (end quote) B.S.I. has taken the initiative to voice its concerns by reaching out to the Ministry of Agriculture, as well as the Government of Belize, to express its reservations about the potential impact of these regulations. Minister Mai says that A.S.R./B.S.I. knew about the regulations that are part of the Sugar Industry Act.
Jose Abelardo Mai, Minister of Agriculture
Jose Abelardo Mai
“Let us not beat around the bush. What we are seeking is disclosure. You will recall that cane farmers specifically the BSCFA had requested to BSI before to kindly inform them as to how much sugar was sold to fair trade and that the FLOCERT regulations demand that, it said that BSI ought to have reported to BSCFA I think twice per year how much sugar us being sold as fair trade sugar. BSI responded saying “I don’t need you to give you that information although it was FLOCERT saying so. But we couldn’t force them to tell the BSCFA how much fair trade sugar was sold. It’s telling you okay you want your license, tell us what are the premiums and benefits due to the certified producer. It is asking for disclosure and that is the reason in my view why BSI is opposing this. Because it is simply asking you to disclose who you selling your sugar to and at what prices and who are the beneficiaries which they were not able tell the BSCFA farmers”
Hipolito Novelo
“BSI says that the regulation is “retrograde, unnecessary, burdensome and discriminatory. What do you say about that?”
Jose Abelardo Mai
“Everybody who sells sugar has to abide by this regulation. It’s not discriminatory. It includes Santander and other people who export sugar.”
Hipolito Novelo
“But it is specifically targeted to ASR/BSI, as you mentioned.”
Jose Abelardo Mai
“In the case that they have not paid premiums to the farmers, yes. But if you pay the premium to the farmers, everybody has to meet the same conditions.”
Hipolito Novelo
“But then would it be fair to say that this regulation is going to be introduced the house I think Friday was prompted with the situation with ASR/BSI and BSCFA in terms of that fair traded sugar?”
Jose Abelardo Mai
“You can say that.”
Hipolito Novelo
“So would there be correct to say that ASR/BSI, they saying it’s discriminatory, you’re targeting them?”
Jose Abelardo Mai
“No. No. Whoever is not doing things the right way will be affected. If it is Santander, they’ll be affected. All this is asking is to disclose what you’re doing.”
