Belmopan, March 17, 2026.
Hon. Rodwell Ferguson, Minister of Agriculture, Food Security and New Growth Industries, today handed over the presidency of CIRSA, the Comité Internacional Regional de Sanidad Agropecuaria, or the International Regional Committee on Agricultural Health.
CIRSA is a regional body composed of Ministers of Agriculture of the Central American region and is the parent organization of OIRSA, the International Regional Organization for Plant and Animal Health. Belize has held the presidency of CIRSA since April 2025, when the 72nd Ordinary CIRSA meeting was held in San Pedro, Ambergris Caye.
The presidency was handed over to Ing. Mária Fernanda Rivera Dávila, Minister of Agriculture of Guatemala, with Minister Ferguson delivering a report on the work achieved during his presidency. Minister Ferguson was thanked for the achievements and endeavours during his tenure, and a token of appreciation, a flying locust that symbolizes the existence of OIRSA, was presented to him.
The 73rd Ordinary CIRSA Meeting is taking place today, March 17, and tomorrow, March 18, in Guatemala City. Reports and discussions on regional plant and animal health issues, such as the New World Screwworm, will take place as part of the meeting.
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