Agriculture Minister Urges Calm in Ongoing Sugar Industry Disputes

As the government yet to discuss the ASR Concessions, the Minister of Agriculture, Abelardo Mai says he would like to see calmer heads prevail in the sugar industry.  He says the time has come to work through the disputes and contentions that are seen frequently especially when the crop season is about to open.  He also referenced the recent court judgement that ruled in favor of ASR.

Jose Abelardo Mai, Minister of Agriculture: “I want to see that we end all the infighting between the farmers and the mill. If we are going to survive, we need us to work together. And so taking the farmers to court and having to pay the mill is not something that I see pleasant or as an advantage, it’s disadvantage. The Prime Minister has said that in conversation with the ASR they don’t intend to collect that money from the government because the government is the one that indemnified. And so that is what I know up to now.”

Based on recent court decisions, ASR/BSI won a significant case against the Belize Sugar Cane Farmers Association (BSCFA). A High Court judge ruled that the BSCFA and two of its members must pay over half a million dollars in damages to ASR/BSI and its subsidiary, BELCOGEN. This was a result of a blockade orchestrated by the farmers in December 2021, which the court found unlawfully interfered with the companies’ economic operations. The judgment set a precedent in Belize for awarding damages for interference with economic interests.