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PRESS RELEASE Belmopan, October 31, 2003 MEDFLY QUARANTINE CHECKPOINT LIFTED The Belize Agricultural Health authority, BAHA, and the Ministry of Agriculture, after conducting a risk assessment in the southern region of Belize, are satisfied that the measures conducted over the past months to combat the Medfly detections have been successful. As a result, the quarantine checkpoint at Maya Center, prohibiting the movement of Medfly host materials from the south has been lifted. BAHA will continue to conduct weekly spraying on the Placencia peninsula to complete the mandatory ten (10) week cycle.Belize has the distinction of being the only country in the Central American region to have received recognition by the United States Department of Agriculture as being Medfly Free. This means that we can produce Medfly host commodities such as papayas and peppers for the United States market anywhere in Belize; a market that presently generates approximately 21 million dollars in foreign exchange. This programme also protects the citrus industry, one of Belize's main export earners, in terms of fruit loss. If we allow the medfly to become established, we would immediately lose our United States market for fresh fruits and could lose as much as 25% fruit loss in citrus, translating to roughly 20 million dollars and loss of employment. BAHA and the Ministry of Agriculture spend almost $100,000. every time an eradication programme has to be implemented. It is therefore extremely important to keep the Medfly out of Belize. BAHA and the Ministry of Agriculture would like to thank the public for their cooperation during the eradication campaign, especially for their patience and understanding at the checkpoint. A special thanks also goes out to the Police Department, who where instrumental in ensuring the safety of all at the quarantine station. BAHA takes this opportunity to remind everyone to obtain a valid import permit from BAHA to import fresh fruit and vegetables. Together lets keep Belize Medfly free!!! For further information on BAHA's Medfly Programme, contact the Coordinator, Mr. Hernan Zetina at 011-501-822-3753.
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Copyright 2006 Belize Agricultural Health Authority. All Rights Reserved. |
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