Belmopan. January 21, 2021. 4:45 p.m.
Hon. Jose Abelardo Mai, Minister of Agriculture, Food Security and Enterprise, today toured the Western Dairies processing facilities and a dairy farm in Spanish Lookout.
The purpose of the tour was for the Minister to learn more about the Western Dairies brand of dairy products and the processes involved in producing milk products such as fresh milk, yogurt, cheeses and ice cream. The tour included an overview of the products, an extended tour of the processing plant, and a question and answer session with the press. After lunch, the Minister and his team were taken on a tour of a dairy farm to see the first stages in milk production.
Minister Mai has been vigorous in supporting Belizean dairy products, despite some public criticism as it relates to imported milk and milk products. These products will still be available although the Minister has alluded to limiting importation permits for milk and milk products because of an irresponsible saturation of the market under the previous administration. The Minister continues to champion the cause of local producers of dairy products, pointing out the high costs of production faced by farmers and producers in comparison to imported products.
Minister Mai stated that he hopes the tour will aid in increasing awareness of availability and quality of Belizean milk and milk products. He encourages Belizeans to buy locally made products to contribute in rebuilding the economy.
The Minister was accompanied on the tour by his Chief Executive Officer, Servulo Baeza; Senior Technical Adviser, Digno Polanco; and other officials of the Ministry of Agriculture, Food Security and Enterprise.
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