Cattle is one of Belize's major exports - but tonight it is under threat in its most lucrative market. The biggest part of that is the new world screw worm which as been detected in Panama Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Honduras and now Guatemala - but not in Belize.
However, it's one border away from us - and that has made Mexican cattle farmers jumpy. Their membership group, named the CNG has now written a letter to SENASICA - which is their version of BAHA - to ask them to ban the importation of cattle from Belize and Guatemala.
Dated November fourth, their letter notes the outbreak of cattle screwworm in Central America. They say it poses a serious threat to their livestock and related species and request, quote, "The temporary closure of the border with Guatemala and Belize for imports of bovine cattle and other susceptible species. Support from the National Guard, the Army, and the Navy to prevent the illegal entry of cattle. Implementation of specific preventive measures, such as the dispersion of sterile flies in the border area."
It's a large and powerful association of 8,000 cattle farmers and the pressure on the Mexican government is significant. Belize's Minister of Agriculture Jose Mai has written back saying, quote, "We consider this action demanded by the Mexican Confederation of Cattle Producers to be unjust.
Belize is free from the cattle screwworm, and it is not fair that they (wish to) stop our cattle exports to Mexico.
He notes that Belize and El Salvador are the only countries that remain free of this pest and that Belize is the only country in Central America that does not import cattle from any Central American or other country.
In a virtual press conference today he discussed what he says is an unjust proposition to close off the Mexican border to Belizean cattle:
Jose Mai, Minister of Agriculture
"I came across that document just this morning, Jules. I think they represent something like 8,000 farmers and pig producers. And I think they wrote to the secretary of Agriculture, Mexico asking Minister not to allow cattle to be imported to Mexico from Guatemala and from Belize."
"But in the case of Belize, I find it to be somewhat unjust to make such a request to the government of Mexico. Because we are worm free, our status is clean. However, I can understand their nervousness but at this time at SENASICO, who is the animal and plant health authority in that country is an institution that is based on science and technology, it's based on scientific evidence."
"That request made to the minister they would have to have some kind of justification for any action against Belize."
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