Belize Hopes to Receive Screwworm Sterile Flies

The Ministry of Agriculture is ramping up its fight against the New World Screw Worm, a major threat to Belize’s livestock industry. Chief Agriculture Officer Dr. Victoriano Pasqual says Mexico has still given Belize the green light to export cattle, proof, he notes, of the effectiveness of ongoing measures. The next step is to release sterile flies to further contain the pest. The method has already been used successfully in other countries, including Mexico and the United States, to control and even eradicate outbreaks.

 

Dr. Victoriano Pascual, Chief Agriculture Officer

“Screwworm is a concern for us. The Ministry of Agriculture along with BAHA, IEKA, the Belize Livestock Producers Association has been working tirelessly to control the spread of screwworm. As you know, we were the last country in this region to get screwworm. We have been working tirelessly to maintain and minimize the spread. We know it would have come. It was not a matter of if, but when. So, it has always been a concern for us, but we try to keep the dialogue with Mexico and we send reports to them, BAHA sends them report every two weeks where they monitor the transparency of our screwworm cases. We have not received any indication that they will not be taking our cattle. So, for now we are good. We are waiting patiently to have sterile flies in the country. Our minister has been asking for sometime now for them to provide sterile flies to us. That should help in the control of the screwworm. It should be disseminated in Mexico and that should be on our agenda soon. The last discussion we had with OIRSA, they have informed us that they are contemplating getting sterile flies in Belize. So, we are keeping our fingers crossed and hopefully we can get it sooner than later.”