Trucks of Cattle Headed to the West for Export

Some thirty loads of cattle from farms in Orange Walk have been transported to the western border with Guatemala for exportation.  The informal cattle trade was halted under the Dean Barrow administration during the COVID-19 pandemic. Minister of Agriculture, Food Security, and Enterprise, Jose Mai gave the go-ahead to continue with the informal trade after John Briceño became the Prime Minister.  He says that many farmers who were about to go out of business are relieved. 

Jose Mai, Agriculture, Food Security and Enterprise

“The day that the Prime Minister was sworn, Prime Minister John Briceño, on the following day cattle started moving out. That has brought tremendous financial relief to the cattle farmers of this country, some who are preparing for bankruptcy already, some who have laid off their workers, some who were preparing to get rid of everything. The simple policy action has brought relief to many farmers.”

Jose Mai

Hipolito Novelo

“How many heads of cattle are we talking about?”

Jose Mai

“I don’t have the numbers with me right now. We know that at least thirty loads have left between Friday and Saturday?”

Hipolito Novelo

“And they officially crossed the border?”

Jose Mai

“I do not know if they crossed the border. I know they left to Bullet Tree.”