Last week we told you a whole lot about CITES, that's the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora.
It all came up because of Diani Chan's business "Botanicals By Rosslyn" imported 3 types of CITES listed plants - without going through the Forestry Department - as required.
But to hear the Minister of Agriculture Jose Mai tell it - she didn't need to go to Forestry. He says BAHA, which falls under his ministry is the only competent authority to deal with plant importation - and he added that while Belize has signed unto the CITES convention - it hasn't been domesticated into national law so we're not really bound by it.
But, from all the experts we have spoken to, that's not really so. The requirements of the convention are legally binding on the state, even though it may not be legally binding on citizens. Bottom line: Belize is still answerable to the CITES Secretariat in Geneva - and we do risk being blacklisted - which could be disastrous for our CITES permitted exports including conch, lobster and various hardwoods.
But, the Prime Minister's advice to Foresrty Officer Daniel Chi when he made the call was quote, "allow them to come in, and then, we can deal with the facts afterwards."
Today we spoke via Zoom to the person designated as the country's Scientific Authority on CITES about that. Dr Elma Kay holds that official post - and here's what she had to say:
Jules Vasquez
"As the technical expert, how do you view the goings on with importation of these CITES plants and the intervention of the executive to bypass the forestry department in its functions of CITES oversight?"
Dr Elma Kay
"I think in general interventions of those types - just normally not seen as good governance, because there are things in place."
Jules Vasquez
"From a technical perspective, was the forestry department within its rights to seek enforcement of the CITES regulations when these plants are being imported without the proper satisfactory CITES clearance?"
Dr Elma Kay
"Sure, that is their job as the management authority. They have been appointed by the government of Belize as the management authority for the convention and so as the management authority they are within their rights to ask the proper questions, request the proper documentation and how they deal with infractions you would have to ask them, but basically yes, they are within their rights as the duly appointed management authority for the country."
We'll have more form Dr Kay's interview tomorrow.
