P.U.P. memo on frog hoppers in the north

The sale of majority shares in the Belize Sugar Industries to American Sugar Refineries is expected to be completed by the start of the next crop. But on the ground, cane farmers are experiencing a major setback. Recent flooding brought about by Depression Seven in August has caused considerable damage to cane fields which are also being infested by a frog hopper outbreak. The fear is that the infestations will have an impact on the sugar cane production for the 2012/2013 crop. Earlier today the Northern Caucus of the People’s United Party issued a statement expressing support for a financing request by the Belize Sugar Cane Farmers Association to the Government. The release states that control of this pest requires urgent attention as experts forecast that the infestation will expand and intensify in September. The release makes the point that the BSCFA and individual cane farmers have already invested and exhausted substantial resources in an effort to control the spread and impact of this pest but additional finances are urgently required to continue the control programs.