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Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 84,398
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OP
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Office of the Prime Minister
Belize Meets European Fisheries Safety Standards
23 September, 2003 - Belmopan The European Union technical committee on food safety last week approved the elevation of Belize to a list one country for fisheries exports including aquaculture.
This new classification will allow Belizean fisheries exporters that are certified by BAHA, to export fish and fisheries products with effect from end October 2003, to any EU member state and thereby entering for free circulation into all fifteen member states. The current list two certification is cumbersome and costly as it only allows entry in a single member state.
This timely development is of particular significance as the North American market is becoming more competitive and Europe currently offers better prices. In addition, with enlargement of the EU next year, the number of countries open for exports will increase from fifteen to twenty five.
Minister of Investment and Foreign Trade, Hon. Eamon Courtenay commented on the development today. "Securing new and better markets for Belizean export products is a priority of this Government. This success paves the way for greater security in the fisheries sector, with better market access we expect to see more investment and more jobs in this important sector of our economy."
The Ministry wishes to acknowledge the excellent collaboration of the Belize Agriculture Health Authority, The Embassy of Belize in Brussels and The Belize Shrimp Growers Association for their efforts in Belize achieving this significant market access breakthrough.
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Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 4,262
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So, is Belize in Europe now?
Gone fishing!!
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Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 85
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hmmmmmm...wonder what this will do to local fish prices in an already overfished area? Would those be the same fish that tourists pay $$$ to see?
It ain't all about shrimp.
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Joined: May 2000
Posts: 2,090
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I think they are referring to shrimp farms. One guy from Palacios, Texas already has one operating down in Belize. This refers to "artificially grown". So the natural reef and ocean fish are not in trouble from over fishing, but are in peril from the very poisonous effluent that results from these farms being dumped and pumped into the sea. :rolleyes:
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Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 8,868
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Europe opens doors to Belize seafood
There is good news tonight for Belizean fishermen and seafood farmers, as the European Union has now fully opened its doors to our fisheries exports. The decision to elevate Belize to List One status means that as of the end of October we can export fisheries products to any and all of the fifteen members states. Previously, with a level two certification, Belize could only export to a single E.U. country. The effect of the new status is significant as shrimp prices in the U.S. market have been steadily declining, while European prices have generally remained higher. The E.U. will also expand next year to twenty-five members and presents a large potential market. The successful effort to achieve the new status was spearheaded by the Shrimp Growers Association, along with BAHA, the Ministry of Investment and Trade, and Belize Embassy in Brussels. Farmed shrimp is expected to become Belize's largest single export, with revenues approaching one hundred million dollars in 2003.
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Anonymous
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Anonymous
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I wonder where new revenue will be allocated? Hopefully it will go to quality of life improvements, such as schools and hospitals for the wonderful inhabitants. But unfortunately, this spike in dollars will probably mean that Placencia and Cayo are on the fast track to becoming another Ambergris. Sad.
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Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 192
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Eh? The shrimp industry employs lots of Belizeans that surely see their quality of life improved. What has that to do with Placencia and Cayo?
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Anonymous
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Anonymous
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Of course the fishermen's lives will be improved. That's obvious. But what I am talking about is the secondary revenue streams: increased tax dollars, infrastructure support, business presence from traders/brokers. When a country enjoys such a tremendous development as this, the dollars spread far beyond those most directly affected.
My post simply stated that I fear the goverment will redirect the revenue to expedite the touristic development of some of the country's more pristine areas, such as Cayo and Placencia, because it's a great way to parlay the fishing money into even more tourist dollars. But personally I would rather see the money go to schools and hospitals for Belizeans. The benefits of such an allocation would be twofold: One the people of Belize would live better; two Belize would maintain its most attractive desinations rather than permit the entire country to become too Ambergris-like.
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Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 4,262
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So...when are we converting over to the Eural.
Gone fishing!!
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Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 192
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What's a Eural? Did you mean Urinal?
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