Belize signs Fruit Fly Control Cooperation Agreement

BBN Staff: On October 10, 2018, Belize participated in the 5^th meeting of the Multilateral Fruit Fly Commission held in Mexico City.

Attending the meeting were Jose Alpuche, CEO in the Ministry of Agriculture;  Emir Cruz, Managing Director of Belize Agricultural Health Authority (BAHA); and  Hernan Zetina; Medfly Coordinator.

During the meeting, the Fruit Fly Control Cooperative agreement was signed between the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), the Ministry of Agriculture, and BAHA.

Signing on behalf of the USDA was Dr. Mike Watson, Administrative Assistant of the USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), and for Belize was CEO Alpuche.

The Cooperative agreement is negotiated and signed annually to protect agriculture in Belize and the United States.

This joint effort includes the control and eradication of the medfly and the management of an exotic fruit fly surveillance program.

The USDA has committed US$115,000 for the fiscal year 2018-19, while the Government of Belize has committed US$282,614 in counterpart funding.

The USDA contribution is used specifically for medfly eradication activities and for the procurement of equipment, materials, and supplies while the Government of Belize contribution is for salaries and operational expenses for the medfly programme.

BAHA thanked both the United States Government and the Government of Belize for their continued support to the medfly programme and for helping to keep Belize medfly free.

 

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