We've heard it over and over: "government will not retrench" but try telling that to the folks at the BAHA; it's not quite the public service, and as a statutory authority in a chronic budget crunch; the folks at BAHA have about as much job security as a karaoke singer with a sore throat.
But not if you listen to the words of today's cabinet brief, which say that: "cabinet has renewed its commitment to continue its financial support to (BAHA)." The release goes on to say that even though BAHA's IDB funding expires on April 1st, the government of Belize will maintain an annual commitment of $1.9 million to BAHA, which will be bolstered by revenues of $1 million a year. So far, revenues have exceeded the targeted figure.
BAHA's work has enabled Belize to be certified free from Medfly, Avian Influenza, Mad Cow, classical swine fever, citrus canker and citrus leprosies.