3 weeks ago
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In addition to the lawsuit, there is the matter where Prime Minister John Briceño publicly confirmed that he has left the BSCFA to join the Progressive Cane Farmers Association. The Prime Minister’s announcement, made last week, sparked discussion within the sugar industry, particularly given his family’s longstanding historical ties to the BSCFA. Vice Chairman Ortega, weighed in on the Prime Minister’s decision, noting that while the move is significant, the association remains focused on advocating for its members.
Alfredo Ortega, Vice Chairman, Committing of Management, BSCFA: “As a cane farmer he has the right to choose where he wants to be, where he wants to work with. We cannot stop anyone from doing that. But as a leader I think that he should have thought a little bit more because as Leader of the Opposition he knew the issues and the situation the BSCFA was facing. He came to us and he advised us on certain things to move forward when he was Leader of the Opposition. Now that he is our Prime Minister, he chose to abandon us because he wants where he receives good words or words that he wanted to listen. And I think that as a leader, he’s supposed to really not only look forward for farmers of the BSCFA, but looking forward into the industry, into all the farmers to benefit out of the labor and the sacrifice that each and every farmer do for this industry.”
The dispute between the Belize Sugar Cane Farmers Association (BSCFA) and Belize Sugar Industries (BSI), along with its parent company Tate & Lyle Sugars, centers on millions of dollars in alleged unpaid Fairtrade premiums owed to cane farmers. The BSCFA claims that over $11 million in Fairtrade funds, intended to support farmers and community development, has not been properly accounted for or disbursed. As a result, the association took legal action against BSI/Tate & Lyle to recover what it says rightfully belongs to its members. BSI and Tate & Lyle have denied wrongdoing.
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