BAHA is watching Belize's borders for a very destructive pest that could destroy the country's grain industry, if it is brought in with contaminated food products.
It is known as the Khapra Beetle, notorious for destroying cereal grains and and oilseeds in the Asian and African countries. Massive populations of the insect may develop, and grain stocks can be almost completely destroyed. The pest is extremely resistant to insecticides or fumigants, which makes eradication difficult.
Well, Mexico, Guatemala, Nicaragua, and Honduras have all notified the region that for 2019 alone, the pest has been detected in more than 30 containers of sorrel and coffee at the ports of entry in these countries. The infested consignments have been refused entry into the country, and returned to origin.
BAHA has held meetings with grain stakeholders in the North and Central Belize regions, where grains are produced and stored. They were discussing a strategy to prevent the entry of this pest into Belize.
All importers are advised that agricultural products, especially grains originated in countries afflicted by Khapra Beetle will require a pest risk analysis before any import permit can be issued. Importers are also advised that any consignment of agricultural products that arrive in Belize, without a BAHA permit, from countries that have this pest, will be refused entry, and the product will be returned to their country of origin.
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