The US has been helping Belize with a medfly programme since 1976 and they continue to assist right now with the current infestation – which is described as the worse in more than three decades.
That's what's being discussed at an annual meeting of the Regional Mediterranean Fruit Fly Program where Guatemala, the United States, Mexico and Belize discus the bug.
It is being held in Belize this year and Belize and the Unites States Department of Agriculture signed a Bilateral Cooperative Agreement last night to strengthen the Medfly program. The US Deputy Chief Of Mission explained:
Margaret Hawthorne - Deputy Chief of Mission, U.S. Embassy
"Belize is recognized by the USDA as a MedFly free area but it requires careful and continuous monitoring by BAHA and USDA. Belize has an average of 4 outbreaks per year and quick responses by BAHA and USDA to eradicate the MedFly each time it is detected using cutting edge technology have prevented the spread of this pest."
Hon. Hugo Pott - Minister of State, Ministry of Agriculture
"So far we've have detected a total of 115 adult medflies in Southern Belize, in focal areas most likely linked to illegal importation of fresh produce."
Margaret Hawthorne
"We are confident that the present MedFly infestation will be eradicated once again."
Jose Alpuche - CEO,Ministry of Agriculture
"It provides us funding for a program for a year and as the DCM mentioned - they have reserved some special funds for us to open a center in Halacte to help with the monitoring and control of the MedFly. It's very critical because a lot of the help we get from the US is actually the equipment that we need and also the technical assistance. It also provides an avenue in which all the participating countries, Mexico, Belize and Guatemala and the US can actually collaborate in keeping MedFly as low as possible."
