Daniel Ortiz has that story:

Representatives of the BSCFA, Prime Minister John Briceno, the Ministry of Agriculture, and members of the SICB congregated this morning at the Yo Creek Agriculture Station.

Nobody from ASR/BSI showed up to participate in this meeting in person.

This was the second day of dialogue in the hopes of ending the stand-off that continues to force the wastage of perfectly good days for cane delivery and milling.

Alfredo Ortega - Chairman, OW Branch, BSCFA
"Nothing has changed as yet. We maintain our position. We'll see what will be happening with the meeting that is called by the Prime Minister, 9 o'clock, and from there, we'll see what is the result of that. But, in the meantime, we maintain our position as of yesterday."

We saw cane trucks blocking the entrance of the Tower Hill compound, but aside from that, the situation remained calm in front of the mill.

In the meantime, multiple police units were on standby, just in case social unrest broke out. There were reports that cane farmers were considering a blockade of the road and the Toll Bridge.

Officers were conducting their routine checkpoint, but we saw others in strategic locations, ready to respond at a moment's notice.

Chester Williams - Commissioner of Police
"I spoke earlier to Mr. Ortega, who is one of the directors of the largest sugar cane association, as I had heard him earlier on the morning talk show stating that they were going to block the highways to Belize City. My conversation with him was basically to advise him not to do that. At this time, the police are out here. We're in full force, but we're not here to agitate anybody. At the end of the day, we want the associations and the farmers not to see us as their enemies because that is not what we're about. Law and order must be maintained, and these gentlemen are very peaceful, and they have committed to work with the police to ensure the highway remains clear to Belize City and to Orange Walk Town, and we're very grateful for their cooperation."

"My instruction to the officers is that while they're out here, they are not to have any weapons, no pepper spray."

And the early morning, the BSCFA leaders shared similar views as the Police Commissioner.

Alfredo Ortega - Chairman, OW Branch, BSCFA
"We don't want anybody to get harmed. We don't want to block any roads. All that we are looking for is that we can get that agreement signed so that our farmers can deliver to the end of the crop."

Reporter
"Do you think that meeting with the Prime Minister today at 9:30 will result in that agreement being signed and you guys get to deliver your cane up until August?"

Alfredo Ortega
"Well, that is our hope to attend that meeting and to see that we get that result. That's why we have these people amongst us. That's why we have this support because we are sending this message to the Prime Minister and to BSI/ASR that this is what we're looking for."

Reporter
"And if that doesn't happen?"

Alfredo Ortega
"Well, it will depend on the results of the meeting. I cannot say what will be our next step. All will depend on the meeting that we'll be holding with the Prime Minister."

At midday, after several hours of discussion with the farmers, the Prime Minister emerged from the meeting area to say that not much had changed.

Hon. John Briceno - Prime Minister
"The Cane Farmers Association [are] prepared to accept the 30th of April, but they want an extension, that if we do not have an agreement, to move it for 3 more months. So, I called BSI, and I asked to see if they can - if they would reconsider that, and they're saying that they have to talk to their bosses. So, I expect a call from them. We reconvene at 1:30."

After that lunch break and a short afternoon conversation, Prime Minister Briceno returned to tell the press that essentially, the two sides have agreed to end the stand-off and resume the cane deliveries and the crop season.

Hon. John Briceno - Prime Minister
"We have made progress, but we feel that we'd be able to finalize an agreement tomorrow, so what I am prepared to tell you now is that the cane farmers, the leaders have agreed that they are going to ask their membership to remove the barrier in front of the factory. BSI has given assurance that they will not received any cane for the next 24 hours and that if we sign an interim agreement tomorrow, that then they will start receiving cane from cane farmers on Friday at 6am."

So, we went to BSI's Tower Hill compound to observe whether or not the cane truck blockade would be removed. And from the views expressed out there this evening, BSCFA farmers won't budge. In fact, it seems like they intend to set up a temporary encampment right in front of the factory until they have hard evidence that the extension has been signed.

Andy Westby - Chairman, Committee of Management, BSCFA
"The massage from the farmers, they will not move the blocking of the gate until that interim agreement is signed. Once it is signed, they will be willing to move the trucks from the gates."

This evening, 2 of the smaller cane farmer associations scheduled a press conference, no doubt to voice their displeasure of the negative impact they're experiencing for a fight that they are not involved in. Because of the blockade, their membership cannot deliver their cane to the factory.

Late this evening, after the Prime Minister's evening comments, they decided to postpone their press conference until tomorrow.

This afternoon, the Opposition UDP, sent out a press release that harshly criticizes the Briceno Government for the state of affairs in the sugar industry.

Their statement says, quote, "The United Democratic Party expresses...grave disappointment in the inability of the government to broker a settlement among all parties involved..." End quote.