BAHA’s Technical Director Sanitary and Phytosanitary Enquiry Point, Second Meeting of the Administrative Commission

Mr. Kenrick Witty, BAHA’s Technical Director Sanitary and Phytosanitary Enquiry Point was part of the Belize delegation that attended the Second Meeting of the Administrative Commission, established under the Agreement on Economic Co-operation (ECA) between the Government of Belize and the Government of the Republic of China (Taiwan) which took place from 28 July, 2025 to 1 August, 2025.

The ECA serves as a crucial mechanism for strengthening commercial and economic relations, facilitating trade, promoting investments, and fostering technical cooperation between the both countries.

The second meeting of the Administrative Commission included meetings of five Committees established under the ECA – including a committee to discuss Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) matters.  Mr. Witty co-chaired the Second Meeting of Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) Committee established under the Belize – Taiwan ECA along with Dr. Dr. Chih-Hsien Lin – Director, Planning Division- Animal and Plant Health Inspection Agency – Ministry of Agriculture (APHIA-MOA) -Taiwan. Mr. Witty was supported online by the Technical Directors for Food Safety, Plant Health, Quarantine, and by two Ministry of Health and Wellness personnel.

During the second meeting of the SPS Committee, Taiwan committed to assist BAHA with laboratory testing methods some of which can be accessed via E-learning tutorials that are available.

Taiwan indicated that specific requests for assistance with any SPS Issue can be submitted to them via the Taiwan Embassy in Belize.

Another important overall outcome of the Second Administrative Commission meeting was the fact that Belize was able to secure market for the export of shrimp from Belize to Taiwan

BAHA’s Technical Director Sanitary and Phytosanitary Enquiry Point, Second Meeting of the Administrative Commission Read More »

BAHA partnering with OIRSA, Taiwan ICDF, BGA, and the Ministry of Agriculture for one day workshop at Hope Creek, Stann Creek on Fusarium Tropical Race 4

Hope Creek Village, Stann Creek District, Belize, February 24, 2023.- Twenty small banana/plantain farmers and PMS (Project Management Service) staff members participated in this training. They learned about Foc TR4 symptoms, other pests and diseases, and ways to avoid them from the Taiwanese who had experience with a similar crop threat. This training was made possible by the regional project to prevent and control tropical banana Fusarium Race 4 in Central America, in coordination with the Ministry of Agriculture, BAHA, BGA, OIRSA, and Taiwan ICDF.

BAHA partnering with OIRSA, Taiwan ICDF, BGA, and the Ministry of Agriculture for one day workshop at Hope Creek, Stann Creek on Fusarium Tropical Race 4 Read More »

Cooperation between the Belize Agricultural Health Authority, Ministry of Agriculture Food Security and Enterprise, and Taiwan ICDF for the prevention of Fusarium oxysporum fs cubense Tropical Race 4 (TR4) in Belize

Six professionals from the Ministry of Agriculture, Food Security and Enterprise, and the Belize Agricultural Health Authority participated in a TR4 training From December 05 to 09, 2022, at the Manuel Mejia Foundation in Pereira, Colombia. The training was sponsored by the Fusarium Prevention Project between the Taiwan ICDF and OIRSA. The training focused on the biosecurity plan before, during, and after an outbreak of TR4, the need for a robust contingency plan to manage the disease, and the use of satellite imagery to assist in field surveillance. A panel of experts consisting of research institutions, public and private sector stakeholders, and the NPPO provided the training. The contingent returned to Belize with a better understanding of how serious this threat is to the region, including Belize, and how to implement prevention strategies to keep Belize free from this devastating disease of bananas and plantains. All biosecurity measures were taken by the participants while in Colombia.

Cooperation between the Belize Agricultural Health Authority, Ministry of Agriculture Food Security and Enterprise, and Taiwan ICDF for the prevention of Fusarium oxysporum fs cubense Tropical Race 4 (TR4) in Belize Read More »

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