WILLEMSTAD – Curaçao's Minister of Health, Environment and Nature, Tyron Boekhoudt, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Aruba's Minister Mervin Wyatt-Ras to strengthen cooperation between the two countries regarding the importation of beef from Colombia.
The agreement, signed in Oranjestad on October 26, 2026, aims to improve food safety controls, strengthen import procedures and protect public health in both countries.
The MoU follows discussions held during the Four-Country Consultation in November 2025, when Curaçao and Aruba expressed their intention to cooperate more closely on meat imports and food safety.
Aruba's Minister Geoffrey Wever also played an important role in the process, contributing to the development and finalization of the agreement.
Under the MoU, Curaçao and Aruba will exchange knowledge, experience and information while cooperating on inspections, audits, staff training and improvements to food safety control procedures.
Curaçao, which already has experience importing meat from Colombia, will share its expertise with Aruba. Both countries will also work to strengthen their respective monitoring and inspection systems.
"It is essential for us that the food reaching our families' tables is safe. Cooperation between our countries helps us strengthen controls, share experiences and protect the health of our people. This is a responsibility we take seriously," Minister Boekhoudt stated.
The agreement places particular emphasis on product traceability, accurate labeling and clear procedures for responding quickly to incidents that could threaten food safety.
These measures are intended to ensure that imported meat products can be properly monitored throughout the supply chain and that authorities can take appropriate action when potential risks are identified.
Despite the closer cooperation, each country will retain its own legal and regulatory responsibilities, including responsibility for formal agreements with Colombian authorities.
Minister Boekhoudt expressed appreciation for the cooperation with Minister Wyatt-Ras and acknowledged the contributions of Minister Wever, as well as the experts and government officials involved in preparing the agreement.
According to Boekhoudt, regional cooperation is essential to developing a safer, more efficient and more responsible food import system.
The minister emphasized that Curaçao will continue strengthening partnerships with neighboring countries, with food safety and the health and well-being of the population remaining central priorities.