By Belize Live News Staff: With the recent confirmation of New World Screwworm in Guatemala, just 44 miles from the Belize-Guatemala border in Los Amates, Izabal, Belizean authorities are ramping up efforts to prevent the pest from spreading into Belize. The New World Screwworm, which has been detected in Panama, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Honduras, and now Guatemala, poses a serious threat to the livestock industry. In response, Belize’s Ministry of Agriculture, along with the Belize Agricultural Health Authority (BAHA) and other stakeholders, are mobilizing resources and education to prepare for a potential outbreak.
Minister of Agriculture, Jose Mai, hosted an educational workshop on the New World Screwworm on Friday in Yo Creek, Orange Walk. Speaking to a gathering of farmers, Minister Mai underscored the importance of understanding and managing this parasite to protect Belize’s livestock industry, which has grown tremendously over the past decades. “Thirty years ago, the industry might have been worth $20 million, but today it’s close to $100 million,” Mai shared, emphasizing how much Belize stands to lose if the parasite takes hold.
In the workshop, Mai drew on his own experiences dealing with screwworms decades ago, noting the difference between then and now. “Back then, every single calf born was infested with screwworms,” he explained. Today, the industry has grown, with improved practices and genetics yielding high-quality livestock valued at up to $15,000 per bull. He pointed out that if the screwworm reaches Belize, it could devastate the industry and increase costs by tens of thousands annually. “If we don’t act, we could be looking at an extra $40,000 a year just to manage and treat these infestations,” he warned.
The workshop served not only to inform farmers about the risks but also to equip them with the knowledge needed to protect their herds. Mai stressed the critical role of education and preparedness, especially given that few Belizean farmers today have firsthand experience dealing with screwworm infestations. The turnout at the session was encouraging, according to Mai, who saw it as a testament to the seriousness with which farmers are taking this threat.
Belizean authorities remain on high alert, and further preventative measures are likely to follow as the Ministry of Agriculture, BAHA, and local farmers work together to safeguard Belize’s livestock from this potentially devastating parasite.
