Agriculture Minister Discusses Screwworms with Mexican Counterparts

Guatemala and Mexico have reported cases of New World Screwworm in their regions. To protect Belize, the Belize Agricultural Health Authority introduced new rules on November eighth. These rules will help to prevent and quickly handle any outbreaks. Key actions include inspecting animals, reporting early, treating wounds, and controlling animal movement. On Monday, Minister of Agriculture Jose Abelardo Mai had a productive meeting in Mexico with the new Secretary of Agriculture, Doctor Julio Berdegué Sacristán. They talked about various agriculture and trade issues. Minister Mai highlighted the need to make it easier for Belize to export agricultural products to Mexico. Currently, Belize exports only $8 – $10 million worth of goods to Mexico, while importing over $300 million from them. Minister Mai stressed the importance of balancing this trade relationship.  Here’s a brief audio clip from the Mexican Minister of Agriculture.

 

On the phone: Dr. Julio Berdegué Sacristán, Minister of Agriculture, Mexico

“Mexico is interested in importing from Belize every single head of cattle that’s legally exported from Belize to Mexico and that complies with the technical protocols to ensure the sanitary standards.   Anything that you can send us, we will receive it very gladly.”