BSI’s Fairtrade certification Suspended, BSI says it won’t affect farmers’ payment

Belize Sugar Industries Limited today fired off a press release responding to what it says is “misleading information being circulated to the various media houses”. The information is in relation to BSI’s recent Fairtrade audit.  It said (quote) “BSI was notified on March 7, 2023, that following an audit in January of this year, four (4) non-compliances were identified, including one major non-compliance, which has led to the suspension of BSI’s Fairtrade certification.” According to BSI, the major non-compliance that led to the suspension relates to a change in classification of BSI in the FLOCERT system, of which it says it was not aware, and which confers additional obligations relating to the company’s communication with its customers. According to BSI, the other non-compliances also relate to technical matters that do not affect the flow of Fairtrade eligible sugar to customers or affect the payment of premium from its customers to eligible Fairtrade associations. BSI says that it has already submitted to FLOCERT its corrective measures for all of the non-compliances and expects that the suspension will be lifted soon. BSI says the suspension does not affect Fairtrade cane. The suspension is not related to uses related to BSCFA, and it is expected that the suspension will be resolved by the end of the week.