Last night we told you about Santander's press release apologizing for violating the terms of their EPZ license. One of the requirements of this EPZ status is that they can only export their sugar, not sell it locally. But, that is exactly what they did: Santander sold over 200 tonnes of their plantation white sugar to one distributor and it ended up on store shelves in the north.
When the cane farmers in the north got wind of this, they raised an angry red flag. Now Customs is out confiscating all of Santander's sugar from the local market - even though the company has volunteered to pull it themselves. Today Minister of State for Trade and Investment Tracey Panton for said that the EPZ committee will decide on the way forward.
Hon. Tracey Panton, Minister of State - Trade and Investment
"We know that the customs department has mobilized teams to confiscate what was on the market. I don't know how much they were able get off the shelves. I saw their press release. I noted their apology. We have to follow a process. As you know and that process is ongoing. We are doing our due diligence and once we have all the information on hand, the EPZ committee will meet to consider the request. They submitted a request for a waiver and that waiver has not been granted by the government of Belize at this time."
Reporter
"Will it still be considered?"
Hon. Tracey Panton, Minister of State - Trade and Investment
"I can't make a decision for the EPZ committee. I know that all the relevant information will be put before the committee and the committee will weigh in on it and also will cabinet."
Reporter
"At this point you can't say if they will fined for their actions?"
Hon. Tracey Panton, Minister of State - Trade and Investment
"No, we have to see what recommendations come from Customs, in terms of what was confiscated. It's not our intention to be punitive. Santander does represent farmers in the west as well, but we need to do thing properly."
Panton says the committee will need a couple weeks to meet as well as meet with other stakeholders before making a final decision.
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