AmbergrisCaye.com Home Forums About Belize Nation embargo on dairy

is it true there is an embargo on all dairy products? details? how long will it last?

I am working on finding out the exact details right now and as soon as I have something solid to post I will.

why?

Not my cheese!!!

You can contact Wine de Vine for more information. They were not allowed to bring in their last order of imported cheeses.

http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/cheese-please-belize

As for why, I can't answer that question other than it's sheer stupidity or protectionism.

Even if this decision were proper and appropriate, it's wholly improper to announce it too late for people to respond to protect their businesses. They should give say two months' notice so people don't buy goods which will not be allowed into the country. I am told that a container of imported cheese is currently sitting in the Port. Even with refrigeration, that consignment may go off and become unsaleable. Who pays? Just like the green apple issue a year or three ago, when the first anyone knew of the ban was when Customs refused to clear a shipment. The whole lot rotted in the Port, at great expense to someone.

If there is one planned, no one who would be in charge of it knows about it, including the GOB dept responsible, the heads of the major supermarkets, etc. A little civics lesson here-this embargo would have to pass in the House, which it hasn't. GOB suspended the importation of dairy and meat products during the mad cow disease scare years ago; It has passed embargos to protect Belizean producers and at times when there isn't enough foreign exchange, which there is little of around right now. Pass the cheese please.

Thanks Katie! Civics lessons are certainly in order around here....

Why would the customs officials give 'embargo' as a reason to not clear a container? smells fishy to me, or cheesy in this case!