Cane farmers get re-certification to receive Fair Trade funds
An audit of the Belize Sugar Cane Farmers Association (BSCFA) in July of 2009 pointed to gross mismanagement and irregularities. That resulted in a suspension of the B.S.C.F.A.’s certification for funding from Europe, known as FLO-CERT and Certification for Development. Millions of dollars were put on hold that would have otherwise benefited farmers and the industry. David Madrid, B.S.C.F.A.’s new C.E.O., says that that FLO-CERT lifted the suspension on January seventh. A letter from Pieter Louw, the head of Business Development for FLO-CERT, says that “I can confirm that all Fair Trade Premium generated through the sale of sugar by the B.S.C.F.A. belongs to the B.S.C.F.A.”. That’s good news for B.S.C.F.A. but bad news for the recently formed United Cane Farmers Association (U.C.F.A.). U.C.F.A. expected to receive similar benefits from Fair Trade. But Madrid says that if U.C.F.A. wants any of the nine million dollars from Fair Trade, then its members need to return to B.S.C.F.A. organization.
David Madrid, C.E.O., Belize Sugar Cane Farmers Association
“We are expecting Fair Trade Premiums to come in almost nine million dollars. Presently we are the only body in Belize that can handle Fair Trade money. We are the only people certified and only people under the B.S.C.F.A. can benefit from the verified money. There are other organizations who are trying to get a piece of the pie because they put sugar in it. But nobody asked them to leave. Besides, the government of Belize recognizes only the B.S.C.F.A. as the only legal association in the country under the 2001 Sugar Act and until that Sugar Act is amended, terminated or replaced no agreement can supersede the Constitution of Belize.”
Jose Sanchez
“I know the United Cane Farmers went to court to the Chief Justice. An agreement was made and your organization, BSCFA along with the government and signed on to agree that they would exist.”
David Madrid
“That was an agreement purely to get themselves in a position to operate efficiently and for a smooth transition of other associations coming in upon the Sugar Act getting amended.”
Jose Sanchez
“Are you of the opinion then that the United Cane Farmers being organized by the credit union in Corozal and farmers in Orange Walk doesn’t have a single cent to collect?”
David Madrid
“Every farmer should be entitled to Fair Trade money. Fair Trade and FLO-CERT require that any person who is going to get a benefit of Fair Trade money has to belong to the certificate body which is the BSCFA. If they want their money all they have to do is continue to be a member of the BSCFA. We’ve been certified not them.”
Jose Sanchez
“But if they can get certification, then will you concede that they should get a share of the pie?”
David Madrid
“If they get certified they will get their share of the pie because B.S.I. will take their members’ sugar and separate it. And they will sell their sugar to Fair Trade as they sell our sugar to Fair Trade..
