PM Briceño: “We Can’t Continue Bailing Out BSCFA”

Turning to the north and the ongoing controversy in the sugar belt, Prime Minister John Briceño says the government is running out of patience with the long‑running dispute between the Belize Sugar Cane Farmers Association and Belize Sugar Industries. Despite attempts to help broker a deal, including a proposed support package, cane farmers have rejected the government’s offer, keeping the industry locked in a tense standoff. Briceño warns the stalemate is threatening the stability of one of Belize’s key economic sectors. And while government understands the industry’s importance, he says it can’t keep bailing out the sugar sector every time trouble arises. Other industries also need help, and repeated financial rescues are creating growing frustration.

 

Prime Minister John Briceño

“All I was hoping is how we can try to bring this to an end and if they feel that they want to continue with that, then that’s on them. The problem is that we, what we have as a cabinet that we can’t continue bail out the BSCFA. They have come several times worse to build them out. And we have done so because we deeply play and an important role in the industry. But whenever we do that, colleagues and start to tell us how or tour operators, and our Fisher folks, or what these people have to buy more boats or don’t salt. The people in agriculture don’t salt. The Cacoa people, they always reminding me during the. The fires, a lot of small farmers lost their produce and we did not manage to give them the help that they needed. So it, it creates a sense of frustration and jealousy within Covenant and I don’t know, for whole lot I’ll be able to do that because then the is a whole on. Before we do that, we also have to give to the other areas and also like to make the point that whenever the government gives monies to one. Association, the other associations will say we are also taxpayers, so we also deserve a part of that money. So I was trying to see how we could find a way to put an end to this, but if they feel that they want to continue with the case that’s really right.”

 

Shane Williams

“Will the fertilizer still be provided?”

 

PM John Briceño

“I’m sorry?”

 

Shane Williams

“Will the fertilizer still be provided?”

 

PM John Briceño

“The support, no. Because of this case, I think. We would probably provide the support, but then we’ll have to share it between the four between the four associations.”

 

As the stalemate drags on, the Prime Minister says government can’t keep footing the bill while other sectors wait their turn for help.

 

Attention readers: This online newscast is a direct transcript of our evening television broadcast. When speakers use Kriol, we have carefully rendered their words using a standard spelling system.

 

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