Ministry of Agriculture investigates South American Rice Imports
Allegations surfaced last week that the Belize Marketing and Development Cooperation (BMDC) was importing rice from Uruguay while there is a surplus of local rice. The Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries issued a release today to clarify the issue. It notes that the ministry granted an application for importation of nine hundred and sixty bags of rice—not from Uruguay, but from Florida. According to the ministry, the application was submitted by “A Hand to the Needy Charitable Foundation” in Price Barracks, Ladyville. The imported rice was a donation from the Food for the Poor Inc. to support poverty alleviation and school feeding programs countrywide. The release emphasizes that the claims of rice being found in retails stores in the northern district from Uruguay will be thoroughly investigated. The ministry, however, denies the allegations that the BMDC is involved in the importation.
THE MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE IS IN CHARGE OF THE MARKETING BOARD. HE WILL NEVER ACCEPT THAT THEY ARE BRINGING IN THIS RICE FROM LONG BEFORE NOVEMBER FIFTH WHICH BAHA CLAIMS GAVE THE PERMISSION FOR IT’S IMPORTATION.
THEY HAVE REFUSED TO ACCEPT THEY WERE OR ARE STILL SELLING OUR SUGAR TO THE GUATEMALANS. PLAINLY IRRESPONSIBLE!!!
This looks like a cover up. Another way to wash their hands. BAHA is almost knocked down anyway, so why not use their name to wash our hands. Why would BAHA approve of importing rice? Why would they not first ask local producers to make the donation instead of bringing rice ALL THE WAY FROM URUGUAY!!!!!!!!! It sounds to me more like the rice was donated to some “needy” minister. Why would this rice end up in local stores? Why do BMDC bags have the same rice in them as found in the Uruguay bags? Too many questions. BMDC claims they do know about this rice or it’s importation, but their workers are selling it. Just goes to show how messed up BMDC is, the boss doesn’t know what kind of rice the workers are selling, or claims he doesn’t know. GET RID OF BMDC!!!!!!!!
Thank God we at least have a press that is willing to investigate. This has been going on for a long time! The rice farmers are claiming their sales are down by 40-50%. Yet BMDC is selling huge amounts. (They will not tell how much). Put the two together, then find out how much Toledo is actually milling and voila you have the answer. BMDC is selling MUCH more than what Toledo is milling! Where dat rice cum from????
Hi this not the only thing MAF doing or should I say Montero please people investigate he montero gave a one person to bring 10,000 lbs green cabbage and lettuce when the poor farmers cant sell the local yet he say that he is protecting the locals please can some one do something.
This is what the PM calls transparent.