BELIZE GOVERNMENT SLAMS DOWN WITH REGULATIONS ON CITRUS NURSERIES

BELIZE GOVERNMENT SLAMS DOWN ON CITRUS WITH A VENGEANCE.

HLB disease is sweeping citrus groves in Belize. This is called Huanglongbing a very serious bacterial disease of citrus.

ALL CITRUS NURSERIES must now be certified. The controlling agency is CREI. The licensing authority is BCCP, as mandated under Chapter 211 Laws of Belize. Application forms are available for nurseries at CREI. The permit is going to cost you a $100, and an inspection for compliance.

The disease is effecting the ability of citrus trees to feed their leaves and fruit from the roots. Alternative, but more expensive spraying food for the leaves is talked about, but unlikely to be done. Sick trees must be cut down.

Nursery citrus plants must now be grown under psyllid-proof screen. The psyllid is an insect that spreads the HLB disease.

The whole citrus industry is under threat. Small as it is, we produce about 5 million pounds of citrus a year. The new factory can handle double that volume.