The Valley of Peace Farmers’ Association versus Green Tropics
Marshalleck is also the attorney on record for the Valley of Peace Farmers’ Association, currently in dispute with agricultural giant Green Tropics. So-called peaceful negotiations broke down more than a week ago when farmers were handed an eviction notice by the company. The matter started with a claim by farmers that Green Tropics had damaged their crops while spraying herbicide on the property. The company retaliated by claiming that the farmers were actually planting on property which is owned by Green Tropics. Currently the matter is being handled by attorneys, and today Marshalleck provided an update.
Andrew Marshalleck, Attorney for Valley of Peace Farmers Association
“We’ve received a communication from the attorneys from Green Tropics. They’ve outlaid a proposal. I’ve indicated to them that I don’t think that the proposal will meet the agreement of my clients and I’ve urged them to reconsider even before I take it there. I don’t want to take it there to say no.”
Reporter
Andrew Marshalleck
“The clients have received an eviction notice. They’re supposed to be out by July fifteenth. Is that still in effect?”
Andrew Marshalleck
“Well it’s only words on paper…”
Julius Espat, Area Representative, Cayo South
“In my opinion you cannot evict somebody who owns the land.”
Julius Espat
Andrew Marshalleck
“No…no it’s only words on a letter. It doesn’t mean much in and of itself. What is important is that we approach the issue from a perspective of being fair to everybody involved. By that we mean fair to both Green Tropics and those farmers who have been there. So we’re trying to understand what the complaints are from both sides and to come up with something that satisfies as far as possible both sets of concerns. Now we’ve received the structure of a proposal of a structure from Green Tropics which I think works as a practical matter…the trouble is the amounts and the quantum in it to give that structure some teeth.”
Reporter
“Sir is it far to say that your clients won’t move from the land?”
Andrew Marshalleck
“I don’t think they’ll be going anywhere, but you can ask them.”
Julius Espat
“They definitely will not be going anywhere. You see there’s a misconception out there when you use the word squatting. These people have been on this land for over twenty-five years…they’ve definitely been there more than twelve years. And under the laws of Belize once you do that and you’re not taken out it is yours under the law of Belize. So we’re just trying to follow the law and everybody has a right.”
Reporter
“Is it your understanding that the company is now admitting that they did actually damage some of the crops?”
Andrew Marshalleck
“No they’re not admitting that they damaged the crops, but the substance of the negotiation is founded on the notion that some compensation ought to be forthcoming for the damage that was done. But they’re not saying that they are at fault for the damage to the crops. No they are not. But they’re also acknowledging that some of these people have been there many, many years. The dispute that will arise on that has really to do with how much land they have been on and who are the persons that have been there for all that period of time.”
We are informed that the government of Belize is not an active participant in the negotiations between Green Tropics and the Valley of Peace Farmers’ Association at this time.
