18 October 2024

Minister of Agriculture, Food Security & Enterprise

National Agriculture and Trade Show Grounds

Belmopan

Reference: Testing for pesticide residue on produce

Dear Minister Mai,

I am appealing to you to address the serious issue of pesticide residue on market produce. As a consumer I am very concerned that I do not know whether the produce I buy at the market has pesticide residue or not. Although a brochure produced by the Pesticide Control Board shows how to wash produce, some pesticides cannot be washed off; they are in the produce.

Diabetes, obesity, miscarriages, cancer, digestive problems, and many other diseases are commonplace in Belize. The National Nutritional Policy initiative states that, according to the Government of Belize, statistics reveal that over 60% of Belizeans are overweight and 30% are suffering from obesity, which could lead to an increase in chronic diseases such as diabetes and heart disease.  Pesticides may be a significant contributing factor to this alarming statistic. Studies show that the incidence of these diseases tracks directly with the increased use of toxic pesticides. Children are especially susceptible to toxic chemicals. The environment is also affected by the use of toxic chemicals; water and air quality, marine and wildlife health, and soil are degraded. But without testing we don’t know how degraded these are in Belize. I do know that harmful toxic chemicals are heavily used in Belize and the adverse effect that use has on the produce I buy is my concern.

I urge you to commit to begin testing for pesticide residue on our market produce as an important step in ensuring safe, healthy food for Belizeans and tourists.

Sincerely,

Pro-Organic Belize

Board of Directors

 
To email your letter and concerns send to attention: Ministry of Agriculture at info@agriculture.gov.bz

18 October 2024

Hon. Kevin Bernard, Minister of Health and Wellness

East Block, Independence Plaza,

Belmopan, Cayo

Re: Testing for pesticide residue on produce

Dear Minister Bernard,

I am appealing to you to address the serious issue of pesticide residue on market produce. As a consumer I am very concerned that I do not know whether the produce I buy at the market has pesticide residue or not. Although a brochure produced by the Pesticide Control Board shows how to wash produce, some pesticides cannot be washed off; they are in the produce.

Diabetes, obesity, miscarriages, cancer, digestive problems, and many other diseases are commonplace in Belize. In your National Nutritional Policy initiative you state that, according to the Government of Belize, statistics reveal that over 60% of Belizeans are overweight and 30% are suffering from obesity, which could lead to an increase in chronic diseases such as diabetes and heart disease.  Pesticides may be a significant contributing factor to this alarming statistic. As you may know, studies clearly show that the incidence of many diseases has increased since the introduction and heavy use of pesticides. Children are especially susceptible to toxic chemicals. The environment is also affected by the use of toxic chemicals; water and air quality, marine and wildlife health, and soil are degraded. But without testing we don’t know how degraded these are in Belize. I do know that harmful toxic chemicals are heavily used in Belize and the adverse effect that use has on the produce I buy is my concern.

I urge you to collaborate with BAHA, BBS and MASFE to begin testing for pesticide residue on our market produce as an important step in ensuring safe, healthy food for Belizeans and tourists.

Sincerely,

Pro-Organic Belize

Board of Directors

To email your letter and concerns send to attention: Minister Bernard at informationofficer@health.gov.bz  

Mr. Lloyd Orellano

18 October 2024

National Bureau of Standards

Belmopan, Cayo

Re: Standards for testing for pesticide residue on produce

Dear Mr. Orellano,

I have been made aware that Belize has no standards for testing for pesticide-free produce. As a consumer I am very concerned that I do not know whether the produce I buy at the market has pesticide residue or not. Although a brochure produced by the Pesticide Control Board shows how to wash produce, some pesticides cannot be washed off; they are in the produce.

As you may know, the incidence of many diseases has increased since the introduction and heavy use of pesticides. Diabetes, obesity, miscarriages, cancer, digestive problems, and many other diseases are commonplace in Belize. In fact, according to the Government of Belize, statistics reveal that over 60% of Belizeans are overweight and 30% are suffering from obesity, which could lead to an increase in chronic diseases such as diabetes and heart disease.  Children are especially susceptible to toxic chemicals. Environment is also affected by the use of toxic chemicals; water and air quality, marine and wildlife health, and soil are degraded. But without testing we don’t know how degraded these are in Belize. I do know that harmful toxic chemicals are heavily used in Belize and the adverse effect that use has on the produce I buy is my concern.

I urge you to begin developing the standards for testing for pesticide residue on our market produce as the first step in ensuring safe food for Belizeans and tourists.

Sincerely,

Pro-Organic Belize

Board of Directors

To email your letter and concerns send to attention: Lloyd Orellano at helpdesk@bbs.gov.bz

·   Zoe Zetina, Managing Director, BAHA