Sugar Crop to Commence Monday

News Five has confirmed that an agreement has been reached to start the sugar cane crop season on Monday, December twenty seventh. A meeting was held this morning and the Sugar Industry Control Board (S.I.C.B.), made the decision. Both B.S.C.F.A. and A.S.R. /B.S.I. made presentations today. Up to yesterday, there were questions about whether the Government is anticipating a legal challenge from A.S.R./B.S.I., over S.I.C.B.’s declaration, which led to a delay of the sugar crop season. When that question was posed to PM Briceño at a B.D.F. event on Wednesday he noted a decision to open the season shortly had already been taken.

John Briceño

Prime Minister John Briceño

“That is not true, it is not the government, it is the Belize Sugar… it is not an arm of the government. But, that aside I think they said that they are going to be opening up the season in a couple of days, so that point is moot.”

B.S.I. says it now recommends that farmers prepare to deliver cane on Monday. The mill says it will continue discussions with B.S.C.F.A. to continue discussions to reach a mutually beneficial agreement.