S.I.C.B. Chairman: Both Sides Should Sign One-Year Extension of Agreement

Marcos Osorio

According to Osorio, a meeting of the board has been called to hear presentations from the B.S.C.F.A. and A.S.R./B.S.I.  Osorio alluded to a division between association representatives on the board, accusing A.S.R./B.S.I. representatives of inciting division.  As the Chairman, Osorio also has a position on the issue. He is of the view that both parties should sign a one-year extension on the current commercial agreement.  But, as the overarching authority in the sugar industry, is the S.I.C.B. Chairman creating a level playing field or making calls for one side? Here is how he responded.

Marcos Osorio, Chairman, S.I.C.B.

“I agree with you that the board in discharging its responsibilities has to be fair and neutral. It is in this fairness for the good of the industry that certain decisions has to be made, even when it appears that it is one sided. If you recall the situation of February 2009, and I am not saying that we will have a repeat or we are anywhere close to that, but anything is possible in this age and time. And, especially where one of the association members, the farmers of an association feels like the mill has been intimidating, employing tactics of instituting fear in the farmers, there could have been a reaction at the start of the crop where we estimate that if the crop had started on Monday, there could have been, not saying there would have been, there could have been a disruption of deliveries which could have escalated into something else, and we cannot as a responsible entity, allow or even try and say, we think it will not happen so let us get the crop started. Then how do you stop it when you already find yourself in a situation of that nature?  I must say that in balancing the situation and ensuring there is a good environment for the start of the crop, until we have that and we feel that it is right environment for a smooth start then that will happen, and the official decision will be made. This, I repeat, is the best interest of the industry.”