Belize will be exporting beef to Mexico legally by early next year. Licenciado Juan Manuel Saldivar, Head of Trade, Tourism and Investment Section of the Mexican Embassy, gave Belize cattlemen the good news when the Belize Livestock Producers' Association held its 34th Annual General Meeting at the Livestock Central Market, Belmopan on Saturday November 26.

The B.L.P.A. elected new officers to its Executive committee and Mr. Melanio Pech delivered the keynote address on the behalf of the Minister of Agriculture Hon. Rene Montero. Other speakers included British High Commissioner, H.E. Patrick Ashworth; Belize's Ambassador extraordinaire H.E. Adelbert Tucker, and the United States' Embassy's Political and Economic Section Chief Joseph Boski.

BLPA Chairman John Carr highlighted the Association's accomplishments over the past year, in particular its involvement in the National Cattle Sweep. He also spoke on the laws governing C.E.S.S. and the law on cattle theft. He encouraged all farmers to report all cases of cattle theft to the police and the association. He also addressed concerns the farmers in the Belize District were having about losses due to jaguar predation.

The highlight of the afternoon was the election of officers to serve on the Board of the Association. Those elected to serve include: Ramon Galvez, Abdala Bedran, John Plett, Peter Dueck, Fred Hunter Sr. and Alvin Stephenson. The new Executive was immediately formed with Mr. John Carr as Chairman, Mr. John Dyck as Vice-chairman, Fred Hunter Sr. as Treasurer and Mr. John Plett as Secretary.

The BLPA's Board of Management now comprises: John Carr, Peter Dueck, Ramon Galvez, Abdala Bedran, Abe Reimer and John Plett all of the Cayo District; Alvin Stephenson and Fred Hunter Sr. of the Belize District and John F. Dyck of the Orange Walk District.

The Reporter