BSCFA, “Only way forward is Commission of Inquiry”

Oscar Alonzo

Earlier this month, the interim commercial agreement between BSCFA and the miller expired.  According to C.E.O. Alonzo, in 2021 and 2022, the association negotiated with B.S.I. to conclude a new commercial agreement.  Even with mediation, their attempt at arriving at a new contract ultimately failed.  This led to a call for a commission of inquiry.  Alonzo shares more.

Oscar Alonzo, C.E.O., Belize Sugar Cane Farmers Association

“We had requested that the only way we could possibly move forward for negotiations of a fair commercial agreement would be the establishment of a commission of inquiry that would conduct a thorough investigation into the sugar industry with regard to the cultivation and harvesting of cane, all up along the chain, including the manufacture, handling and marketing of sugar and that, hopefully, with the information and recommendation derived from this commission of inquiry we could then sit down with BSI and negotiate a fair commercial agreement.  At the same time, look forward to the modernization of the Sugar Industry Act which is in dire need of revision.  So BSI’s proposal is, in effect, where it was proposing that we sign a four-year agreement was one of the same issues which we were very concerned about.  And, as you know, we held our annual general meeting on Sunday in which we presented BSI’s proposal to our members which, as I mentioned, the main item has to do with the signing of a four-year agreement.  The other proposal that they had put forward was that the Fairtrade premium would be paid by Tate and Lyle and that it would be subject to a letter of agreement to be signed between BSCFA and Tate and Lyle with certain conditions.”