By Omar Silva, NP Staff Writer

Belize City, Tuesday, 21st March 2023

Belize Sugar Industries Limited (BSI) recently had its Fairtrade certification suspended due to non-compliances identified during an audit in January 2023. According to BSI, four non-compliances were identified, including one major non-compliance related to a change in BSI's classification in the FLOCERT system, which the company was not aware of. The change in classification confers additional obligations relating to the company's communication with its customers.

BSI has responded to the suspension with a press release stating that the other non-compliances identified during the audit are technical matters that do not affect the flow of Fairtrade eligible sugar to customers or the payment of premium from customers to eligible Fairtrade associations. BSI has already submitted corrective measures for all of the non-compliances to FLOCERT and expects that the suspension will be lifted soon. BSI has also stated that the suspension does not affect Fairtrade cane and is not related to uses related to the Belize Sugar Cane Farmers Association (BSCFA).

Fairtrade is a global certification system that aims to promote fair and sustainable trading conditions for farmers and workers in developing countries. The Fairtrade system sets standards for social, economic, and environmental sustainability and offers certification to producers who meet these standards. The certification allows producers to access international markets on fair terms, receive fair prices for their products, and earn a Fairtrade premium, which is used to invest in social and economic development projects in their communities.

The suspension of BSI's Fairtrade certification may have an impact on the workers who produce sugar cane for the company. Without Fairtrade certification, BSI may not be able to access international markets on fair terms, which could result in lower prices for sugar cane and less investment in social and economic development projects in the communities where the workers live. However, BSI has stated that the suspension will not affect the payment of premiums from customers to eligible Fairtrade associations, which suggests that the impact on workers may be limited.

It is important to note that BSI is taking corrective measures to address the non-compliances identified during the audit, and it expects that the suspension will be lifted soon. Fairtrade certification is a crucial tool for promoting fair and sustainable trading conditions for farmers and workers in developing countries, and it is important that companies like BSI uphold these standards to ensure the well-being of the communities where they operate.