Sugar Associations Question Agriculture Minister

As the issue continues to heat up, three associations; Belize Sugar Cane Farmers Association, Progressive Sugar Cane Farmers Association and the Corozal Sugar Cane Farmers Association are seeking a meeting with the Minister of Agriculture Godwin Hulse. In a letter, the associations note that they have carried out their own investigations and can confirm the sale of white sugar from Santander in the northern sugar producing districts.  They also ascertain that the white sugar is being sold at cheaper prices than sugar produced by B.S.I.  This affects the payment for cane farmers since it is based on the proceeds derived from the sale of white sugar.  Furthermore the loss of sales by B.S.I. translates into a direct loss in income to the five thousand farmers and by extension twenty-five thousand persons.  The farmers raise a number of questions to the minister as to how the sugar was released into the domestic market.  Earlier today, Minister Hulse deferred the matter to the Ministry of Trade saying it was within their purview to deal with the issue and not a matter for agriculture.