For the past few days the sugar industry has been dominating the headlines. As we've told you, ASR-BSI is trying a first: they are appealing to farmers and reaping associations to enter into a commercial arrangement directly with the factory owners, and in so doing, cutting the Cane Farmers Association our of the equation. Now, the association has represented the farmers since 1959 – and it's not going anywhere – not quietly at least. They made that clear at a press conference in Orange Walk today. 7News was there:…

Jules Vasquez Reporting….

Today the top brass of the Belize Sugar Cane Famers Association took the head table, with the Branch Leaders in the wings.

At their headquarters to make ASR BSI know they are going to put up a fight:

Oscar Alonzo, CEO - BSCFA

"This proposed agreement is the worse agreement ever in the history of the sugar cane industry. BSI now AHS has become a predator who is using the agreement to try to obtain maximum benefits from it's investments."

Alfredo Ortega, Spokesperson – BSCFA, Bagasse Negotiating Team

"It is very important to see the arrogant behaviour of this people from BSI. They're coming now like wolves trying to eat up the cane farmers. They are coming to cane farmers now like they are angels in heaven trying to protect the farmers without coming to the association, bypassing the association."

Oscar Alonzo

"We denounced that action that they are taking because we find that it is EXTREMELY dangerous. It is a means by which they are trying to pit farmers against farmers, to destroy the associate and their only objective is to enable them to make it easier to subject our cane farmer. An onerous and oppressive agreement, which would be detrimental to their interest."

But the farmers came out in the hundreds in Orange Walk and Corozal to hear the proposal – which would seem to be a repudiation oft their association, but not according to Alonzo:

Oscar Alonzo

"We have not told our members not to attend. We have told our members to go and get information."

Ezequiel Cansino - Chair, BSCFA Cmte of Mgmt

"No branch said that they are willing to start the crop with this agreement. Everybody say that we have to negotiate and they are not accepting this agreement."

And with no cane farmer yet breaking ranks to sign the BSI-ASR agreement, these leaders are going back to membership:

Ezequiel Cansino

"Up to now the 18 directors are supporting this and this means that we have the full support of the five thousand and plus cane farmers."

They are having a meeting Saturday and expect a strong showing to send a clear message to ASR-BSI:

Oscar Alonzo

"We will not be forced into signing an agreement in haste and without proper negation."

Javier Keme - Chairman, Finance Committee

"You will see that we are speaking what we are saying. 100% support of our cane farmers."

And the first point they find non negotiable is ownership of the cane:

Javier Keme

"Ladies and gentlemen this is something blatantly offensive in our case."

Oscar Alonzo

"Again gentlemen another monopolistic atactic because I am the monopolist, I can dictate my terms for how you will deliver the cane and how I will pay you for my cane."

The Association is banking strongly on the farmers – it's that strongest of instincts called self preservation:

Oscar Alonzo

"What we are advising the farmers do not sign those agreements. Remain firm as one association. In forming one strong association we are in a better position to promote our interest to protect out interest against monopoly because this is what BSI is; And it is exercising its monopolistic power to try to jam down a contract down the throats of the small humble cane farmers."

That's the kind of emotive language we heard a lot at this press conference – making it clear that the Association is not beyond some fear mongering to make sure it's membership doesn't flinch:

Alfredo Ortega

"Now they're becoming with the true eyes on which they are colonial masters, wolves, in which they want to enslave the cane famers again – they want to displace the farmers if they sign the paper that BSI is looking for, the famers will end up having nothing on which their land has been sold and BSI will buy them because ASR has done that in other."

Oscar Alonzo

"We figure this is chanciness, extreme chanciness. How will a cane farmer of 75 tonnes, a hundred tonnes of cane sue BSI who is a billionaire. How will they do it? The fact that they take advantage of our small farmers who cannot interpret on their own that contract who need to get legal advice."

And so they are calling on government to intervene:

Javier Keme

"The Belize sugar industry control board has the responsibility to regulate the sugar industry."

Alfredo Ortega

"So it is every important that the government of the day, jump into this matter and help us. Help the cane farmers to settle this problem with ASR BSI."