And while tourism officials met at the Princess, producers and processors gathered across town to discuss the country’s favourite bird: the chicken. News Five’s Karla Vernon has more. Karla Vernon, Reporting Whether they came from Spanish Lookout, Shipyard, or Little Belize these poultry producers want the same things: to process more chicken and turkey products, […]
With tourism leading Belize’s economic charge and the prospect of oil riches on the minds of many Belizeans, we often lose sight of the fact that agriculture is still the nation’s most important economic activity. Today government’s main agricultural research facility held an open day and News Five’s Jacqueline Woods put on her overalls. Jacqueline […]
You cannot tune in to the international media without hearing about bird flu. This is a viral disease that has killed over sixty people, mostly in Asia, but according to scientists, has the potential to kill millions if it mutates into a different strain. Today, the Ministry of Health, the Belize Poultry Association, and the […]
There is no doubt that Belize has been lucky this year avoiding all the devastating hurricanes that raged around us. Now, in addition to that narrow escape we also find that our neighbours’ misfortune is giving us an economic boost. I’m speaking of the citrus industry, where the continued effect of hurricanes–the latest being Wilma–has […]
As more and more Belizeans are diagnosed with heart disease, diabetes and other life threatening ailments, nutrition has become extremely important to our population. And as attention shifts to food and healthy diets, the issue of food security naturally arises. Today those topics were at the centre of discussion in Corozal. Janelle Chanona reports. Janelle […]
The Ministry of Agriculture reports an outbreak of rabies in the Cayo District. According to a press release, five cases, all in cattle, have been confirmed in two separate locations, while additional cases at a third location are now being investigated. Authorities believe that vampire bats are responsible for the outbreak and a series of […]
Terrorism is a subject that seems very remote in out-of-the-way Belize, but with bombs going off from London to Port of Spain, you can never be too sure. Today officials gathered to talk about public safety, not from bombs but from someone tampering with our food supply. News Five’s Jacqueline Woods has more. Jacqueline Woods, […]
The Ministry of Agriculture has announced the names of the 2005 Farmers of the Year. Senior Farmer of the Year is Burton Caliz of the Blue Creek Road in Toledo. Caliz operates an organic farm, growing a variety of vegetables as well as pigs and chickens. He stresses harmony with the environment. Lady Farmer of […]
Things are looking up in the citrus industry. Not only is a record crop now being harvested, but prices are inching their way up on world markets. A release from the Citrus Growers Association reports a new estimated final price for oranges of one dollar and one cent per pound solid, up substantially from the […]
And while some exporters are looking for a fair shake on the world market, others are looking for a better deal at home. Today a delegation from the Chamber of Commerce representing the productive sector met with a high-level cabinet delegation in Belmopan. The Chamber delegation, heavy on representation from Mennonite Communities, presented a case […]
There is disturbing news coming out of Belize’s farming community as News 5 understands that more than ninety families from the Mennonite community of Shipyard in the Orange Walk District have relocated across the border to Mexico, having found greener investment pastures there. As a result, the Belize Chamber of Commerce has initiated a public […]
With the effects of the Caribbean Single Market and Economy preparing to reverberate throughout the region, today industry leaders, government officials and representatives of environmental organisations met in Belize City to discuss marine resources, and more specifically, the implementation of a policy regime for CARICOM members to safeguard this vital sector. With a broad framework […]
In the current national debate over the budget and related issues of taxes, deficits, imports and exports, the one thing we take for granted is that, unlike many small Caribbean countries, Belize can feed itself–at least with the basics. And no food is more basic to the Belizean diet than our beloved chicken. Today the […]
Belize’s banana growers may face the prospect of lower prices from the European Union but the E.U. is trying to make up for that cut in subsidies by offering technical assistance. Yesterday in Belmopan Prime Minister Said Musa and the European Commission’s Gerd Jarchow signed an agreement that will make available seven point five million […]
Tonight environmental organisations are up in arms over a government move in the fishing industry. According to the Association of Protected Areas Management Organizations, the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries is now being asked to reconsider a recently signed statutory instrument which would allow non-Belizeans the right to fish in Belizean waters. Advocacy Director of […]
Persons living with HIV and AIDS not only suffer from the disease but must also endure the stigma and discrimination that often accompanies it. Many of these patients are shunned by family and friends who are often just too scared to take care of them. Today, however, the Ministry of Health has embarked on an […]
After a particularly nasty hurricane season and the tsunami in the Indian Ocean Belizeans do not need any reminders about the importance of preparing for disasters. That’s why a meeting held today by the Red Cross found the participants listening closely. News 5’s Jacqueline Woods has more. Mary Lee Ellis, Ag Director General, Belize Red […]
Today was an unusual one in the field of Belizean philanthropy…for two reasons. The first is that the hardworking staff at the Salvation Army finally got a chance to have some fun. The second is that one of the major players of the tourism industry–that is the cruise lines–have dared to get involved in the […]
The Belize Agricultural Health Authority has imposed a quarantine on the Mennonite Community of Shipyard and two other villages in Orange Walk, restricting the movement of horses out of the area, following the outbreak of a viral disease. Three of the animals have died so far and a number of others have shown signs of […]
The last time someone tried to build a major span over the Belize River was June of 1993 at a place called Iguana Creek. A flood washed the nearly complete structure into oblivion and its contractor firmly into the nation’s folklore. Today, with the lessons of history still fresh, another bridge is arching over the […]
Whether you like it fried, stewed, baked or barbecued, chances are chicken is on your menu more than any other source of protein. That’s why any possible threat to Belize’s favourite bird is not taken lightly. This morning I joined agricultural health officials in Spanish Lookout as they investigated what is hopefully only a blip […]
There has only been one confirmed case in the Cayo District, but tonight government officials are advising all farmers to be on the lookout for rabies in their animals. In late October, tests conducted on the brain of a horse showed positive for rabies and since then, two other animals, a bull from Lower Barton […]
For the young and the young at heart, seeing an African elephant, an Asian tiger or even a Peruvian llama in real life is a source of great excitement. But with these amazing animals comes the possibility of diseases which might affect our local animal population. News 5’s Patrick Jones explains. Patrick Jones Reporting The […]
The annual exposition of Belizean products and services opened this evening on the grounds of the Saint John’s College Gymnasium in Belize City. Over a hundred and fifty display booths will give the public a chance over the weekend to see some of what the productive sector has to offer the local and export markets. […]
Most of the weather news we’ve seen over the last month had to do with hurricanes and their potential to assault Belize with high winds and torrential rains. But while many Belizeans have been focussing on catastrophic storms, the fact is that since June the nation has been in the grip of a severe drought […]
