BELIZE CITY, Thurs. Apr. 23, 2020– The negative economic impact of COVID-19 has hit all sectors of the country, including our agricultural sector. Additionally, however, cattle exporters have been facing further restraints by the Bullet Tree village chairman, Sabino Pinelo.
According to the area representative of Orange Walk South, Hon. Jose Mai, in an interview with LOVE FM Belize, the problem started on March 20, when three truckloads of cattle were being delivered from Orange Walk into Cayo to be exported to Guatemala.
Upon the arrival of the trucks in Bullet Tree, however, Pinelo stopped the convoy and instructed a police task force to escort the trucks all the way back to Orange Walk.
Jose Mai stated that there was no expressed reason as to why the cattle was not allowed to pass, but at a meeting with the Agricultural Taskforce on April 16, Pinelo stated that farmers could not utilize the village to continue this unofficial trade, and he set a fee of $70-$75 per truck for passage through Bullet Tree — an act which many found to be illegal.
As a result, the cattle have remained in storage for four weeks and caused a loss of approximately 1.8 million dollars, which potentially could increase to 2.4 million dollars monthly.
Mai also stated that this trading has been occurring for years and they have had no problems on either sides with the transactions, because it is a means for both parties to earn an income. Through the sale of the surplus livestock, Mai asserts, a number of challenges being experienced within the country are being alleviated, such as limitations in the capacity for storage of cattle and the shortage of revenue due to COVID-19.
The Ministry of Agriculture is apparently arranging a meeting with the authorities from Guatemala to discuss the matter, but Mai believes that that is a conversation that should have been done at an earlier point during the current government’s twelve-year tenure.
The People’s United Party subsequently issued a statement on Tuesday, April 21, calling on the government to take decisive action at a time when our economy and the “poorest in our society” desperately need help.
The party went on to state that for twelve years the agro-productive sector has been abandoned, but it is the only sector that can provide food for the country, especially during the coronavirus pandemic.
The PUP made the following suggestions to the Government on how to address the matter:
“The PUP supports that:
1. Government reopens the export of livestock through the Bullet Tree area immediately while simultaneously engaging the Guatemalan authorities in formalizing the livestock export industry.
2. Government bulk-buy from producers to ease the challenges of storage and at the same time, provide cash flow for producers/processors to reinvest in the next production cycle and so, continue to provide food for the country.”
The PUP also warned the government that failure to take these measures will reduce foreign exchange ratings, further pose a dangerous threat to food security, increase the unemployment rate and reduce household income.
Feature photo: Area representative of Orange Walk South, Hon. Jose Mai