Controller of Supplies Says B.M.D.C. is Regulated  

Also speaking on behalf of the Ministry of Agriculture was Lennox Nicholson, Controller of Supplies.  According to Nicholson, the import quantities requested by B.M.D.C. are often reduced and in some cases not approved, as a means of regulating the importation of vegetables into the country.

 

Lennox Nicholson, Controller of Supplies, MAFSE

“The licensing regime provides space to local producers, a buffer between them and imports, in that when local production is there we don’t allow the imports.  But we’re not there to pick winners and losers between San Carlos in Orange Walk and maybe a producer in Stann Creek.  They are both Belizeans.  Both sets of producers are Belizeans.  So they have to compete among themselves and that’s one the things that they mentioned.  This idea, the licensing for these products also come out of my office and I can tell you, once local production is in, none is issued.  There’s a process, oftentimes licenses that are applied for by BMDC, the quantities are cut and in some instances they are not approved outright.  So as I mentioned, as I indicated earlier, I actually act as a regulator for them as well and oftentimes when people suggest that licenses have been issued and I ask, “Can I see a copy of it?” There is none.”