Tonight, less than a week after we reported on the latest standoff between the Citrus Growers Association, the Belize Citrus mutual and CPBL, it appears that a compromise has been reached giving a green light for deliveries of early oranges at the processing plant.
The latest feud erupted after CPBL CEO Henry Canton, advised growers that he was not ready to accept delivery of the early variety oranges at today's scheduled 2011/2012 season opening of the factory. Today had been set aside for the delivery of Grapefruits only!
That decision sparked a fiery debate amongst the industry's stakeholders, who accused Canton of making unilateral decisions that threaten to severely harm and negatively impact the viability of the industry. It was so unpopular, that two of the industry's feuding associations joined together for the first time to present a unified front in challenging the decision. But Canton insisted his decision to delay the receipt of oranges was to allow fruit maturity to improve, which was in the best interests of the industry, whilst maintaining: (quote) "our reputation for producing World Class Quality frozen concentrated orange juice".
The results of sample tests conducted on the early oranges by CPBL were challenged by both the CGA and BCM, and the CGA fired off a letter to the Minister of Agriculture and the Chairman of the Citrus Control board requesting their intervention in the matter.
Today, in a move that's likely to be interpreted as bowing to pressure, the factory sent out a press release stating: "CPBL has reviewed the results of tests conducted between the period October 25th thru October 31st 2011. The results show that the maturity of the oranges submitted for testing has improved. Consequently, CPBL is pleased to advise all citrus growers that it is now prepared to commence the receipt of oranges with effect from Monday November 7th, 2011 from 7:00 am to 5:00 pm daily." The news was greeted by William Bowman, one of the industry's largest growers, with great optimism. Bowman said, (quote): "this decision shows the willingness of the parties involved to compromise, and do what's best for the industry". End of quote.
However, Henry Anderson, CEO of the CGA, was not so upbeat. He told Seven News late this evening that he "strongly believes that it was pressure from the government that led to the change of heart by Canton."
What was the pressure form the Government? Today the Prime Minister told the press that it wasn't pressure, but a plea:
Prime Minister Dean Barrow - Prime Minister of Belize
"Cabinet actually agreed [on] a position that the minister is taking to the CPBL CEO, I guess. Those who know the citrus industry far better than I, are saying that earlies are dealt with every crop year. There is nothing new about accepting earlies. The minister is taking the message to CPBL. I welcome the opportunity, occasioned by your question to make a public appeal they in fact try to sort this out so as to stem the losses that the citrus growers say they already have suffered as a consequence of the earlies not having been accepted - the factory hasn't been opened at all for a couple of weeks, or in the last 2 or 3 weeks when they said earlies were already ready them to take to the factory."
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