B.S.C.F.A. rejects the existence of United Cane Farmers Assn
Since the meeting in Belmopan has been called off, Madrid said that B.S.C.F.A. is now requesting Minister Montero to go to the sugar belt to meet with the caneros. One of the matters that they have on their agenda is the formation of the United Cane Farmers Association. Madrid says that the B.S.C.F.A. is now revoking the agreement which was signed acknowledging the presence of the new association.
Via Phone: David Madrid, C.E.O., Belize Sugar Cane Farmers Assn
“We had made an agreement that all correspondence would be through the S.I.C.B. That has not transpired. The United Cane Farmers has gone ahead and actually presented themselves through the media without consultation with S.I.C.B., which all of us agreed that we would not do. Number two is that it’s unconstitutional.”
Jose Sanchez
“You said this could lead to protest.”
Via Phone: David Madrid
“ Well we would hope not. We’re not in the position to promote demonstration, strikes, riots or anything like that is the last resort in which we would like to proceed. But there comes a time when the government intervention it could lead to something like that but believe me that’s the last thing we would want.”
Jose Sanchez
“Do you believe you should be the only operating cane farm association?”
Via Phone: David Madrid
“I believe that the government has a duty to recognize the best way for the sugar industry to proceed and the legislature decides that.”
Jose Sanchez
“Would you intend to take United Cane Farmers to court? I believe that ship has sailed; they are an association.”
Via Phone: David Madrid
“It’s not taking them to court. I believe that what they should have done, they wasted two years of their time. They should have been taking this to the legislative for them to rewrite the sugar act. Even if the court rules on it, it doesn’t make it law. It just states that it’s unconstitutional or it’s incorrect. It’s up to the legislature to rewrite the sugar act so that it confines to what’s correct. There’s a huge difference; you can take anyone to court but it takes a legislative power in order to write law into the country of Belize.”
