BSCFA clarifies story on Fairtrade status; says it is certified until 2024

By Aaron Humes: The Belize Sugar Cane Farmers Association (BSCFA) has issued a statement clarifying their status with respect to Fairtrade certification.

On Tuesday, Manager of the BSCFA, Oscar Alonzo, clarified to Breaking Belize News (BBN) that the BSCFA remained Fairtrade Certified as per the last FLOCERT Audit. 

In the release sent out today, the BSCFA provided evidence that it is Fairtrade compliant (attaching its letter of certification) and will be so up to 2024.

In an exclusive interview with BBN on Tuesday, BSCFA Chairman Andy Westby, clarified that their agreement with BSI for the purchase and supply of cane does not expire until January 19, 2022 hence there is a cane contract in place with BSI that allows BSCFA to sign the letter of enhanced agreement.

BBN then spoke with Minister of Agriculture, Jose Mai, who indicated that the Prime Minister of Belize publicly declared that the BSCFA and its members will deliver their cane during the 2021-2022 crop to BSI under a one-year extension of the existing commercial agreement to be signed by BSCFA and BSI before the commencement of crop, and that the leaked letter sent out on Tuesday was “an intent to create mischief”.

In its release today, the Association makes no mention of where it stands with regard to having the binding purchase contract agreement with BSI/ASR, which the latter has said today it is continuing to pursue and has reached out to the BSCFA in inquiry about.

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