This is one of the many techniques that those in the industry are exploring to make sure that Belize's sugar industry survives sweeping changes coming in only a few months from now.
In 6 months, the European Union will lift all the restrictions that they had on European Beet Sugar. Belize and the other ACP countries will have to compete directly with beet farmers who are able to produce high quality sugar very efficiently, far more so than Belizean cane farmers.
But the local industry knew that this was coming, and they weren't sitting on their hands. They've been working on several techniques to improve their production, while cutting costs. This is all in an effort to hopefully prevent European market from swallowing the local market.
Today, members of the EU met with farmers under the accompanying measures for sugar, and we met one of those officials at another event this afternoon. We had a conversation with him about the impact that the regime change could have on Belize's sugar. Here's what he told us:
Gavin Tench, Political Counsellor - E.U. BZ Delegation
"We've all known this day would come so we have spent the last 10 years preparing for it. From what I've seen today and what I've heard today from cane farmers themselves from all those involved in the project overall, Belize's is adjusting to the big change coming up and there are a lot of positives going forward. So from where I stand we're quite pleased with what we've delivered together in partnership over the 10 years. I have every confidence that the industry in Belize will go from strength to strength."
Daniel Ortiz, 7News
"Is there any concerns that there will be transitional tremors for the industry when we move directly from that preferential market status?"
Gavin Tench, Political Counsellor - E.U. BZ Delegation
"We're in the realms of speculation here and of course one of the key driven factors is well market prices and unfortunately none of us has a crystal ball. I think there is the healthy approach for hope for the best, plan for all sorts of contingencies. As I say, the industry has got a solid foundation and has been preparing carefully for the day ahead."
Reporter
"Will the assistance continue on behalf of the EU?"
Gavin Tench, Political Counsellor - E.U. BZ Delegation
"Assistance directly on the sugar program will cease at that point but our overall level of assistance to Belize, our partnership with the Belize government continues and goes from strength to strength. Delighted to say that Belize was the only country in the Caribbean in the last negotiations for development funds to actually receive an increase. We are working very closely with the national authorizing office here. We'll see a lot of work going forward in the areas of energy, health, public financing management. So nobody should be under the allusion that this is the end. We may be changing our focus but our partnership is enduring."
Later on in the news, we'll tell you about 3 new schools that the a million dollars of EU funding built in the north.
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