The Belize Livestock Producers Association is calling on all livestock producers to mobilize following the government's decision to halt the illegal export of cattle to neighbouring countries.
This informal - or as the Prime Minister calls it - illegal export had been ongoing for twenty years, but COVID-19 forced it to shut down.
In a release, the BLPA claims, however, that the trade process is well established and that there was no consultation done with them or other stakeholders before shutting it down.
They say the government has also failed to provide a viable and immediate alternative for the sale of the excess cattle. This has led to several pressing issues, including a growing surplus of cattle that are losing value daily as they gain weight, and a financial strain on the farmers who were already struggling because of COVID-19.
The domestic market is not viable for the producers either, as it has contracted due to the pandemic. They say farmers are now finding it difficult to maintain their operations, and worse, to feed their families. According to BLPA, they attempted to negotiate a window of reprieve to recommence the movement of cattle for export on September 28, but that only lasted a few days.
With no other options, they are planning a peaceful protest in every district to request the resumption of the livestock exports. They are asking all stakeholders to participate in this protest, as they plan to announce a date in the near future
