Minister Jose Abelardo Mai reflects on collaborative efforts with Mexican Agriculture Ministers

Posted: Wednesday, December 11, 2024. 7:57 pm CST.

Minister Jose Mai, right, with new Mexican Secretary of Agriculture, Dr. Jorge Berdegué Sacristán, left, in Palenque, Chiapas, Mexico, on December 8, 2024 – Photo Credit: MAFSE

By Rubén Morales Iglesias: Minister of Agriculture, Food Security and Enterprise, Jose Abelardo Mai, recently shared his reflections on the fruitful collaborations with two ‘outstanding’ Mexican Ministers of Agriculture, Dr. Víctor Manuel Villalobos Arámbula and Dr. Julio Berdegué Sacristán. Mai said these partnerships have significantly advanced Belize’s agricultural trade and cooperation with Mexico.

Dr. Victor Villalobos, who served under President Andrés Manuel López Obrador, played a pivotal role in expanding Belize’s cattle trade to Mexico and supporting tariff-free access for various Belizean products. His efforts, Minister Mai said, also facilitated the reinstatement of Belize’s shrimp farms on the Information System for Consultation of Authorized Plants (SICPA) network, ensuring continued market access for shrimp to Mexico. Additionally, Dr. Villalobos supported technical cooperation agreements between Mexico’s National Institute of Forestry, Agricultural and Livestock Research (INIFAP) and Belize’s Ministry of Agriculture, aiding in the production of coconuts, soybeans, pitahaya, and livestock.

Dr. Julio Berdegué, appointed just over two months ago under President Claudia Sheinbaum, has continued this legacy of cooperation. Minister Mai noted that Minister Berdegué announced that even if Belize experiences incidents of the New World Screwworm, cattle exports to Mexico will persist with practical amendments to export protocols. Dr. Berdegué and the Mexican Animal Health Authorities have recognized Belize’s success in preventing the entry of the New World Screwworm.

Regarding coconuts, Dr. Berdegué indicated that Mexico will soon respond to Belize’s request for market access for green coconuts with husks. It is anticipated that Belize will need to conduct a Pest Risk Assessment as the first step towards achieving market access.

Minister Jose Abelardo Mai, left, with Mexican Secretary of Agriculture, Dr. Víctor Manuel Villalobos Arámbula, right, on October 19, 2021, in Chetumal, Quintana Roo, Mexico – Photo Credit: MAFSE

“The Ministry of Agriculture, Food Security and Enterprise is grateful to both Mexican Ministers of Agriculture Dr. Victor Villalobos and Dr. Julio Berdegué for contributing to technical cooperation and facilitating market access for Belize’s agriculture products to Mexico and in so doing contributing to improving the livelihoods of thousands of Belizean small farmers and their families,” Minister Mai said in a statement posted on his social media page.

Mai also acknowledged the dedication of the Ministry of Agriculture staff, extension officers, the Belize Agricultural Health Authority (BAHA), the Belize Livestock Producers Association (BLPA), the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA), and the International Regional Organization for Plant and Animal Health (OIRSA) in keeping Belize free of the New World Screwworm.

“The fact that Belize and El Salvador are the only two countries in Central America that are Screwworm Free speaks volumes,” Minister Mai noted, highlighting the collaborative efforts and successes achieved through these partnerships.

He went on to thank Senior Technical Advisor Hugh O’Brien for his leadership and Belize’s Investment Ambassador Jaime Briceño for his valuable contributions to the trade dialogue with Mexico.

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The post Minister Jose Abelardo Mai reflects on collaborative efforts with Mexican Agriculture Ministers appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.

Posted: Wednesday, December 11, 2024. 7:57 pm CST. Minister Jose Mai, right, with new Mexican Secretary of Agriculture, Dr. Jorge Berdegué Sacristán, left, in Palenque, Chiapas,
The post Minister Jose Abelardo Mai reflects on collaborative efforts with Mexican Agriculture Ministers appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.