BAHA Refutes Claims of Granting Export License for Sugar

Last week, we reported on an incident at the northern border involving several persons who were caught transporting plantation white sugar into Mexico.  The individuals allegedly told officials at the border that they were operating under an export license issued by the Belize Agricultural Health Authority, BAHA.  Earlier today, a press release was issued in which BAHA refutes the claims being made.  The statement goes on to say, “BAHA is not a licensing authority for agricultural commodities.” Elsewhere in the release, it says, “BAHA categorically refutes accusations of illicit involvement in the irregular exports of sugar to Mexico or to any other country.  There is no such document as an export license issued by BAHA given that that is not a function within the purview of the authority.  In addition, BAHA does not place quantitative restrictions on any commodity, whether imported or exported, but it abides by such mandates from other regulatory agencies that have that mandate.”