The New World Screwworm - it has disrupted the trade in cattle through this region - and now - because of a single case detected, Mexican cattle exports have been temporarily banned from the United States.
Belize continues to be screw-worm free - but what is the worst case scenario if the pest is some day detected in Belize?
Here's what the Minister of Agriculture said on Friday:
Jose Mai, Minister of Agriculture
"Belize at this time, status is free of screw worms. So we can export to Mexico. The moment now, there's one case, it's a total different ballgame. Worst case scenario, we have a case in Toledo. Plan, block off Toledo, control points in place, which you have already, we have the SI ready, we have everything ready, block off Toledo, put the control place, 24 hours quarantine office, and work that area backwards to the border."
"Pump the era, saturate the area with sterile flies. While telling Mexico, see, I have all the measures in place. Screw Worm, right now moves by people. People move animals that are infected with screw worm. It is not that the fly is flying from one country to the next."
"It is people moving it. So if you educate the people and you put your controls in place, you can avoid it."
|
