B.A.H.A.’s Perspective on Ostrich Importation Permit

Last week, Cayo businesswoman Nancy Marin expressed frustration over her attempts to obtain an import permit for ostriches. She claims she has been stonewalled or had to deal with too much red tape for six years. Marin showed us copies of correspondence that indicated that one agency had granted the permit, but another didn’t. After News Five spoke with Marin, we contacted the Acting Managing Director of the Belize Agricultural Health Authority, Francisco Gutierrez. He says B.A.H.A. had no problem granting permission once Marin had met their requirements, but that the delay was because the Department of Forestry had their own issues to consider.

Francisco Gutierrez

Francisco Gutierrez, Acting Managing Director, B.A.H.A.

“I am not sure that she started this process six years ago. I’m only aware that a few months ago she initiated the process with B.A.H.A. However, eventually we made a determination that it was safe to import the animal or animals under the conditions stipulated in the permit. Now why we held back the permit, firstly, we never really revoked her permit. We haven’t cancelled the permit, so-to-speak, pending a decision from the Wildlife Unit of the Department of Forestry, which is under the broad umbrella of the Ministry of the Environment, etcetera. So the reality is yes, we had given the go-ahead; we issued the permit with conditions, but then we got official correspondence from Forestry saying that ostriches are included in the list of protected species under CITIES, which is the International Convention having to do with trade and movement, etcetera, of endangered species. As a regulatory body and also as a government entity, we also have to respect the mandates of other entities and competent authorities. So, based on that official communication, we decided to hold back the permit. And as soon as she gets the go-ahead, she’ll be able to bring [them] in. We’ll just give her back the permit with a new expiry date and she can proceed with that.”