Quarantine Values
Established in 1981, the Quarantine Department began its operations at the Belize International Airport, now known as The Phillip Goldson International Airport. Originally established under the Ministry of Agriculture, the Quarantine and Inspection Services began its operations protecting the country from the introduction of pests and diseases that could affect Belize’s agriculture patrimony. Over the years, the department has expanded its reach and currently operates at multiple strategic locations across Belize, including the Port of Belize, Belize Northern Border, Benque Viejo Western Border, Big Creek Port, Punta Gorda Port, and San Pedro Port. This proactive approach serves to mitigate biosecurity risks and protect the country’s agricultural industry from imminent threats.
Quarantine Values
The Quarantine and inspection services main responsibility is to manage biosecurity risks to Belize by ensuring that regulated imported commodities meet all Sanitary and Phytosanitary import requirements through verification and inspection. By safeguarding the nation from pest and diseases and other risks, the department ensures that Belize fulfills its mandate under the SPS Agreement, thereby fostering international trade and demonstrating the country’s commitment to provide an appropriate level of protection for human health, animal health and welfare, plant health and the environment and ensure safe and wholesome food for the Belizean populace.
The Quarantine Department ensures compliance with Belize’s Sanitary and Phytosanitary import requirements by providing thorough inspection and verification services for imported commodities at points of entry.
By conducting meticulous examinations, the department evaluates and mitigates potential risks associated with regulated commodities, encompassing plants, animals, and their related products across land, air, and sea routes.
Proactively combating the smuggling of contraband goods, the department actively engages in rigorous surveillance operations. This includes vigilant monitoring and inspections of goods at entry points, along with market and supermarket inspections to prevent the unauthorized sale and distribution of regulated commodities.
In instances where regulated commodities arriving at a point of entry without the required quarantine treatment, the department after consultation with the technical department may supervise an approve treatment following international standards and guidelines established by recognized agencies such as the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and International Regional Organization for Agricultural Health -OIRSA . These treatments are designed to effectively minimize the risks associated with pests or diseases.
Non-Intrusive Inspection Unit
Contraband Is High Risk
Quarantine And Inspection Services
Ensuring Compliance…..You Can Help
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