7 News Belize

Untitled Document They're the largest cane growers' group and, tonight, the Belize Sugar Cane Farmers Association has scolded the Prime Minister for his decision to strip Minister Jose Mai of the responsibility for the sugar industry. They wrote to him on Tuesday expressing, quote, "deep concern and profound discontent" regarding what they call "the recent and alarming decision."
They chide the Prime Minister for going to Miami to meet with owners and managers of ASR and they say that led directly to Mai being stripped. They question, quote, "and we are yet to learn what else was required from your government by ASR owners and managers."
They note that Mai has been a, quote, "steadfast advocate for the sugar cane farmersâ€¦.(who) has not shied away from standing by the interests of local farmers, as is our expectation from your entire government as this was one of the major commitments made by your government to the constituents in the north since Plan Belize 1.0.
They conclude, quote, "The shift in leadership within the portfolio risks exacerbating the already difficult situation for cane farmers, who will now find themselves at the mercy of multinational interests rather than supported by a government that champions their rights and well-beingâ€¦..The future of our local sugar cane farmers must not be dictated solely by the profit-driven motives of multinational corporationsâ€¦"

Today, in Orange Walk the PM said he's the decider, not Fred Ortega:

John Briceno, Prime Minister
"I'm going to be kind to the BSCFA. And first of all, that they are not the Prime Minister, if Fred Ortega or any one of them want to be Prime minister, put their name on the ballot and somebody can be the Prime Minister and make the decisions. When I make decisions in setting up a cabinet, I try to look at it from different angles or where I think I could best get."

"I could put the best team forward. And I believe that that's exactly what what I have done. And and I have the reasons why I brought the sugar industry in under my position I want the industry is in crisis and we have to give it the highest priority. If they can't realize that then that the industry is in crisis, then they are the problem because they are in crisis themselves as a as an association."

"But I don't want to get into a back and forth with them. Really I found their letter very insulting. But I will leave it as that."