ASR/B.S.I. on Amendments
Mac Maclachlan
For the first time in history, there are three associations delivering cane to B.S.I. That is now legally possible because of amendments to the Sugar Industry Act pushed through by G.O.B. last Monday. Those amendments have been roundly criticized because one, there was no consultation with stakeholders and two…it is believed that the Act needs a much more comprehensive overhaul. Today ASR’s Vice President of International Relations Mac Maclachlan agreed that there needs to be much more where the Sugar Industry Act is concerned, and that will happen in due course.
Mac Maclachlan, Vice President, International Relations, ASR
“I think that everybody would agree in the industry, including the government, that we need fundamental reforms to the Sugar Act in due course. Those reforms can’t take place immediately. I think it would be sensible to have full stakeholder engagement in those reforms so that everybody can feel that they own whatever comes out of that process in the end. I think that what happened before was as the Prime Minister said to basically implement the changes that the Supreme Court had asked the government to make. I think that an important part of looking at the future is how the Sugar Act can be amended to ensure that it is putting regulation where regulation is need and taking regulation away where it is not needed, to enable the industry, and this is a private industry, to move forward in the best way for all industry stakeholders. But that’s not something that’s going to happen today or tomorrow. I believe that’s going to be a part of the discussion of the Strategic Development Plan.”
Now the zafra is open, I would be very happy if someone can tell me: how the signing of this agreement turned the cane farmers into slaves? How will the cane farmers be relegated to just cane cutters? Please explain, since these statements seem to me contradictory.
@X-Ray The farmers have one and only choice i.e. to sell their product to ASR/BSI/Tate & Lyle or die just like the oppression and slavery Belizeans endured under English imperialism, colonialism, and economic retardation since 1798 but particularly and stupendously in 1940 through present date. One of the principles of true democracy, not sham democracy like we have in Belize, is freedom and liberty of a laissez-faire economy which broadens and deepens the economic, legal, social, and economic systems of all countries. So you see Mr. X-Ray eyes, you can discern all the evils and corruption that will ensue when there is only one source for anything. And this is why Belize has failed to develop. Everyone wants a monopolistic concession, like ASR has, to not pay taxes and provide them with an economic conduit to enrich themselves on the backs of the serfs, slaves like we are in Belize and who pay exorbitant taxes for everything. I hope this is a simple enough explanation for cutting edge X-Ray eyes.