May 18, 2025 - Channel 5 Belize

Belize Farmers Use Insects to Fight Pests, Reduce Chemicals

Farmers in rural Belize are getting a boost in their fight against crop-damaging pests—thanks to tiny helpful insects.

The International Regional Organization for Health in Agriculture (OIRSA), in partnership with Resilient Rural Belize (RRB) under the Ministry of Economic Transformation and the Regional Biological Control Program, is supporting farmers to use natural pest control methods. These involve releasing beneficial insects into crop fields to reduce the need for chemical pesticides.

Two of the main insects being used are:

Trichogramma pretiosum, a tiny wasp that attacks the eggs of crop pests, especially borers (insects that burrow into plants).
Green lacewing (Chrysoperla carnea), which feeds on many harmful insects.

This approach helps protect the environment, lowers farming costs, and produces healthier food.

One of the most damaging pests for crops like cabbage, broccoli, and kale is the diamondback moth. Farmers usually rely on a lot of pesticides to control it. But now, by using these helpful insects, they can reduce chemical use, which also lowers the risk of pesticide residues in food and harm to the environment.

As part of this pilot project, 13 farmers will receive support from the RRB program:

2 farmers from Concepcion Vegetable Farmers’ Cooperative Society Ltd. in Corozal
2 from Los Pequeños Agricultores y Ganaderos of Nago Bank Cooperative Society Ltd. in Belize District
9 from Valley of Peace Lagoon Farmers’ Cooperative Society Ltd. in Cayo

The goal is to help more farmers adopt eco-friendly farming methods and grow safer, healthier produce for Belizean families.

DOE Engaged Customs Brokers to Strengthen Environmental Compliance

The Department of the Environment (DOE) brought together customs brokers this week for a two-day engagement in Belize City aimed at improving environmental compliance for imported goods. The event was part of the DOE’s ongoing efforts to align trade practices with national and international environmental standards.

During the sessions, brokers received guidance on the DOE’s permitting processes and Belize’s obligations under key agreements such as the Montreal Protocol and the Basel Convention. Discussions focused on issues like managing plastics, chemicals, and ozone-depleting substances—critical areas for protecting public health and the environment.

The sessions featured interactive presentations and practical tools to help brokers meet regulatory requirements.

Due to high interest, the group was split into two cohorts across the two days, and a virtual session was scheduled for May 24 to accommodate those who couldn’t attend in person.

Court Deems SOE Detentions Unlawful, Awards Damages

The Belize High Court has delivered a judgment, finding that the detention of sixteen individuals during the State of Public Emergency declared in July 2020 was unconstitutional. Justice Nadine Nabie presided over the case, which centered on the legality of the actions taken by the Belize Police Department under Statutory Instrument No. 97 of 2020.

The claimants, Jahreem Staine, John Grinage, Sheldon Grinage, Shemar Mortis, Earl Baptist, Sanjay Lino, Akeem Bermudez, Micheal Flowers, Gilbert Belisle, Randy August, Dean Williams, Ervin Rhamdas, Herman Solis, Lionel Longsworth, Harold Usher, and Malik Pitts, challenged their detention, arguing that it violated their fundamental rights.

The court’s ruling specifically highlighted that the detentions infringed upon the claimants’ right to protection of the law, as enshrined in Section 3(a) of the Belize Constitution. Justice Nabie stressed the importance of fundamental justice and the rule of law in safeguarding individual liberties. The court found that the State failed in its constitutional duty to provide judicial oversight concerning those detained during the State of Emergency, contravening Section 19 (1) (c) of the Constitution.

A key aspect of the judgment was the court’s declaration that the extension of the State of Emergency for an additional two months was not justified by the prevailing circumstances at the time.

In light of these findings, Justice Nabie awarded substantial compensatory damages to each of the sixteen claimants. The amounts varied, reflecting the individual circumstances of their detention, ranging from $12,000 to $25,000. For instance, John Grinage was awarded $12,000, while Ervin Rhamdas received $25,000. Additionally, each claimant was granted $7,000 in vindicatory damages, acknowledging the violation of their constitutional rights. The court also ordered the Attorney General to pay the claimants’ legal costs.

Two Teachers Accused of Sexual Misconduct at Corazon Creek Technical High

Two secondary school teachers from Corazon Creek Technical High School have been placed on administrative leave following allegations of sexual misconduct, according to official correspondence from the Belize Teaching Service Commission (TSC).

The TSC confirmed receipt of notifications from the school’s management, dated April 28, 2025, indicating that both educators were relieved of their duties effective April 29, 2025. The administrative leave is intended to facilitate formal investigations into the allegations.

In accordance with Rule 94 of the Education (Amendment) Rules, 2012, the leave period is set for a maximum of 20 working days, ending on or before May 27, 2025. During this time, the school’s management is expected to conduct a thorough investigation. Should charges be brought forward as a result, the administrative leave will be terminated immediately, and the management must then determine whether to place the teacher on interdiction.

The rules also stipulate that if a teacher is interdicted and no hearing is conducted within 30 days, the teacher must be reinstated without prejudice—provided they were present for all scheduled hearings. If no charges are filed following the investigation, the teacher will similarly be reinstated without prejudice to their status or salary.

Management may request a one-time extension of up to five additional working days if more time is needed to complete the investigation.

Patrick Faber Challenges UDP Expulsion Following Court Ruling

Lead Opposition Senator and former party leader Patrick Faber is demanding his immediate reinstatement in the United Democratic Party (UDP).

Faber, who was expelled from the party in September 2024, issued a formal letter to UDP Vice Chairman Alberto August, citing a recent High Court ruling that declared the expulsion of fellow party member Tracy Panton unconstitutional.

Faber argues that his expulsion, along with those of John Saldivar and Beverly Williams, mirrored the same flawed process used in Panton’s case. He says that the Central Executive Committee acted outside its constitutional authority by bypassing the UDP’s Ethics and Integrity Committee, which is the only body empowered to expel members under Article 11 of the party’s constitution.

“The Court concluded that the Central Executive Committee acted beyond its authority and failed to observe the principles of natural justice,” Faber wrote, demanding that his expulsion be declared null and void and that his full party membership be restored.

The UDP’s response, signed by Acting Chairman Alberto August, pushes back on the automatic application of the court’s decision to other expulsions. August said that “every case is determined on its own merits,” and that the ruling on Panton’s case should not be generalised to others with potentially different facts and circumstances.

August noted that Justice Tawanda Hondora, while acknowledging procedural flaws in Panton’s expulsion, ultimately left the question of her membership to the UDP itself, rather than the judiciary. August also outlined the process Faber must now follow if he seeks reinstatement, including submission to the Ethics Committee and potentially issuing an apology with a pledge to uphold party values.