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Also at Tuesday’s U.D.P. press conference, Area Representative for Corozal North Hugo Patt chimed in on the north’s biggest industry – sugar. Speaking on the labor dispute between A.S.R./B.S.I. and B.S.C.F.A., Patt gave his opinion as a sugar cane farmer himself. Patt is a member of the Northern Sugar Cane Growers Association and his association […]
Written on January 12, 2022 | Posted in
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Comments Off on Former DPM Hugo Patt Says Do Away with Commercial Agreement
Hugo Patt also commented on the current state of affairs in the Corozal Sugar Cane Growers Association. Here is what he had to say about the challenges faced in trying to hold a general assembly during the pandemic, and why he thinks this dispute will be best resolved before the court of law. Hugo […]
Written on January 12, 2022 | Posted in
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Comments Off on Patt Comments on Challenges of Holding Cane Farmer AGM during COVID
The over saturation of the local market with illegally imported onions has been long standing issue for Belizean farmers, especially during harvesting. Over the weekend, one onion farmer from Cristo Rey Village in the north took to social media saying he has been unable to sell his produce because the markets are filled with contraband. […]
Written on January 11, 2022 | Posted in
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People & Places |
Comments Off on Contraband Onions Affecting Local Sales… Again
In Corozal this morning, a group from the Corozal Sugar Cane Producers Association was on standby awaiting the removal of Chairman Vladimir Puck and his Board of Directors from the C.S.C.P.A building. As viewers may recall, member Everaldo Uk had called a Special A.G.M. on Sunday. At that meeting, Uk was elected as the new […]
Written on January 10, 2022 | Posted in
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Comments Off on C.S.C.P.A. A.G.M. Elects New Officers
However, C.S.C.P.A Chairman, Vladimir Puck, and his Board of Directors do not plan to vacate the office without a fight. Puck insists that the meeting held over the weekend in Corozal was illegal. While Puck was unable to verify whether the meeting met quorum, credible information to News Five is that the meeting did not. […]
Written on January 10, 2022 | Posted in
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Comments Off on Vladimir Puck Challenges Outcome of A.G.M
Everlado Uk has since written to Vladimir Puck, informing him of the results of the Special General Assembly that took place over the weekend. Of note is the letter, dated today January tenth, lists Puck as “Former Chairman”. Puck, however, contends he remains the legitimate chairman of the Association, until the matter is ventilated before […]
Written on January 10, 2022 | Posted in
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Comments Off on Puck Insists His is the Legitimate Board
Just because the sugar crop has begun doesn’t mean trouble is over in the sugar belt. Two factions of the Corozal Sugar Cane Producers Association continue to be at odds with each other. One group, led by Everaldo Uk, a former Association Director, is calling a special annual general meeting on Sunday. But, another group, […]
Written on January 6, 2022 | Posted in
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Comments Off on Conflict Continues Within the C.S.C.P.A.
We also heard from the Chairman of the C.S.C.P.A, Vladimir Puck. In their releases, the association urged members to, open quote, “stay at home and not get involved with such calling for them to participate at this A.G.M., as it is not legally decided by the present administration of the C.S.C.P.A.”, end quote. On […]
Written on January 6, 2022 | Posted in
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Comments Off on Current Chairman CSCPA Says A.G.M Illegal
The National Trade Union of Belize has commended the Belize Sugar Cane Farmers Association and the Belize Sugar Industry for agreeing to an interim commercial agreement. A release from the N.T.U.C.B. also recognizes the Government of Belize for its role in ensuring both parties acted in good faith during the talks, and notes the presence […]
Written on January 6, 2022 | Posted in
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Comments Off on Trade Union Congress Commends Cane Farmers and Mill for Recent Agreement
While the unions are hailing the signing of the interim commercial agreement between the farmers and the mill at Tower Hill as a successful outcome, members of the Belize Agro-Productive Sector Group have a very different view. Today, the Belize Agro-Productive Sector Group Chairman, Dr. Henry Canton, wrote to Minister of Agriculture Jose Abelaro Mai […]
Written on January 6, 2022 | Posted in
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Comments Off on Agro Processors Concerned About Investment Climate
The citrus industry has been embattled for several years, amid disease, and inner turmoil amongst growers. This morning, the Citrus Growers Association, the representative organization for a majority of growers in the Stann Creek District, held its annual general meeting at the C.G.A. Compound near Pomona. A number of items were on the agenda, including […]
Written on January 4, 2022 | Posted in
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Comments Off on CGA Holds AGM on State of Citrus Industry
After a two week delay, the sugar crop finally got off to smooth start today. As we have been reporting, the delay was caused mainly by a dispute involving the largest Sugar Cane Farmers Association in the industry, and the sugar mill, A.S.R./B.S.I. The sugar cane farmers are seeking to negotiate a new Commercial Agreement […]
Written on January 3, 2022 | Posted in
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Comments Off on Sugar Crop Off to Smooth Start
But, did cane farmers use undue pressure to get A.S.R./B.S.I. to sign an interim agreement as some would suggest? A.S.R./B.S.I. on Thursday referred to the actions of the farmers as “illegal tactics”. We asked Westby for a response. Andrew Westby, Chairman, Committee of Management, B.S.C.F.A. “I believe it is not a bullying tactics, it […]
Written on January 3, 2022 | Posted in
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Comments Off on B.S.C.F.A. Chairman Says Association Did Not “Bully” B.S.I. into Signing Agreement
And while the focus at this point is on ensuring that the sugar cane in the field makes it to the factory in as efficient a manner as possible, the road to signing a new commercial agreement is still ahead. Andrew Westby, Chairman, Committee of Management, A.S.R./B.S.I. “We know when you sit down to […]
Written on January 3, 2022 | Posted in
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Comments Off on Interim CA Signed, but New Agreement Needed After That
Tonight, there is good news related to the sugar dispute coming out of the north. A.S.R./B.S.I. this evening agreed to strike a compromise with B.S.C.F.A. Andrew Westby, Chairman of the Management Committee at B.S.C.F.A. told us over the phone that an interim agreement was signed just after three p.m. today. The agreement, says Westby, will […]
Written on December 31, 2021 | Posted in
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Comments Off on Sugar Impasse Ends: Agreement Signed Between B.S.I. and Cane Farmers
That signing was today, but on Thursday, A.S.R./B.S.I. was still concerned about the blockade and the interruption of the 2021/2022 sugar crop. The company issued a release saying it was concerned that if the delay was prolonged, it would mean there would be cane left on the ground at the end of the sugar crop. […]
Written on December 31, 2021 | Posted in
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Comments Off on Sugar Mill Had Been Concerned About Blockade
B.S.C.F.A. says is not concerned about any legal challenges that A.S.R./B.S.I. may bring as a result of the blockade and interruption of the sugar crop. According to Westby, the Prime Minister also guaranteed the farmers that the Government of Belize is prepared to take these on should they arise. On the Phone: Andrew Westby, […]
Written on December 31, 2021 | Posted in
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Comments Off on G.O.B. Takes Responsibility for Potential Lawsuit from Blockade
A.S.R./B.S.I. was not the only ones feeling the pressure from B.S.C.F.A. farmers over the last three days. Prime Minister John Briceño received his fair share of criticism. He had been one of the main facilitators in bringing both parties to the table to come to an agreement. Yesterday, however, when it appeared that A.S.R./B.S.I. was […]
Written on December 31, 2021 | Posted in
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Comments Off on Angry Cane Farmers Wanted Three-Year Agreement
On Thursday evening, cane farmers took the streets of Orange Walk and protested in front of the Prime Minister’s house. ComPol Chester Williams says that a permit was issued for the peaceful walk that was limited in terms of participants. Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police “Yes, they have asked for permission for a peaceful […]
Written on December 31, 2021 | Posted in
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Comments Off on Cane Farmers Protest in Front of PM’s House
For the past few days, the police have been maintaining order in the north where cane farmers have been protesting and agitated. ComPol Chester Williams said on Thursday the Belize Police Department would maintain a presence to keep the peace, but he appreciated the good communication with cane farmers during this tense time. Chester […]
Written on December 31, 2021 | Posted in
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Comments Off on Maintaining Civility during Sugar Protest
Unions, including the Belize National Trade Union, as well as the National Trade Union Congress of Belize were out in support B.S.C.F.A. members throughout the week. Luke Martinez, President of the N.T.U.C.B., called for more meaningful intervention in the issues farmers face throughout the crop season annually. Luke Martinez, President, N.T.U.C.B. “We continue to […]
Written on December 31, 2021 | Posted in
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Comments Off on Umbrella Union Organization Supports Cane Farmers
In recent weeks, we have heard a lot from the executives at the Belize Sugar Cane Farmers Association, government officials, and A.S.R./B.S.I. officials. But, at the center of the recent industry disputes are the farmers on the ground since they are the ones who plant, harvest, and deliver the cane to the mill for harvesting. […]
Written on December 30, 2021 | Posted in
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Comments Off on Cane Farmers Camp Out; Voice Concerns over Sugar Crop Delays
And while we were talking to those farmers this morning, the executive at B.S.C.F.A., along with Ministry of Agriculture Representatives and representatives at B.S.C.F.A. were meeting over at B.S.C.F.A.’s headquarters. That meeting ended with some positive news for protestors. But, when the day came to an end, there was still no interim agreement being signed. […]
Written on December 30, 2021 | Posted in
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Comments Off on No Agreement Signed Today at Tower Hill; Hope Remains For Monday Signing
The standstill outside the gates of A.S.R./B.S.I.’s sugar mill in Orange Walk went into a second day. Members of the B.S.C.F.A., Prime Minister John Briceño himself, and Minister of Agriculture Jose Mai spent the entire day meeting in an attempt to resolve the impasse. B.S.C.F.A. members are demanding that A.S.R./B.S.I. signs an interim agreement that […]
Written on December 29, 2021 | Posted in
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Comments Off on Sugar Crop Stand-Off Continues
But, even if an interim agreement is to be signed, there is another issue at play that can potentially stall the process. A.S.R./B.S.I. remains firm on its decision not to entertain any discussion about bagasse that involves the mill giving more money to the farmers. Here is what Shawn Chavarria, Director of Finance at B.S.I., […]
Written on December 29, 2021 | Posted in
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Comments Off on B.S.I. Stands Firm on Bagasse Issue
