Rules of origin are included in trade agreements with protectionist goals that force food industry companies to work only with local raw materials. The idea is that this makes products seem more original but it seriously restricts the industry's ability to protected markets.

This reasoning is the basis for the request by Costa Rica's food industry chamber (CACIA) to the Ministry for Trade asking for the rules of origin regulations to be made more flexible before progressing the FTA standardization with Mexico.

CACIA president, Marco Cercone, indicates that, "the trade agreement convergence process with Mexico must look to make progress, create opportunities, liberalize use of protected raw materials and review rules of origin standards".

Source: Costa Rican Chamber of Food Industry

More on this topic

El Salvador: Protection for Textiles in Korea FTA

November 2016

In the agreement between the region and South Korea the rule of origin for Salvadoran Textiles was recognized, which will prevent the importation of fabrics to later be used in the manufacture of garments in El Salvador.

The Salvadoran government managed to include in the agreement the recognition by South Korea of a rule of origin for textiles, in order to protect the entire chain in a country where virtually all of the raw materials for the manufacture of garments are produced, with the exception of cotton.

U.S. Textile Companies Ask For Rule of Origin To Be Kept

December 2013

The president of the Dominican Republic has warned the U.S. government about the impact the Trans- Pacific treaty in the textile sector in the region.

From a statement by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Dominican Republic:

On November 27, President Danilo Medina sent a communication to the President of the United States, Barack Obama, in which it reiterated its concern expressed during the meeting held in San José, Costa Rica, in May, in connection with the negative impact which could come from the Trans- Pacific Economic Partnership Agreement (TPP) on the textile and clothing industry in the signatory countries of the DR -CAFTA and the region, if certain special concessions that could cause changes in the management and values ​​of hemispheric trade, and on a worldwide level.

European Rules on Food

November 2012

Regulations have been approved governing schemes involving quality seals such as those designating origin, protected geographical indications, guaranteed traditional specialties and reserved terms.

A statement from the Foreign Trade Promotion Office (PROCOMER) reads:

The Council of the European Union has adopted regulations regarding the quality of agricultural products and foodstuffs

Virtual Round With Singapore Finishes

August 2009

Progress was made in access to markets and rules of origin, topics of great importance to define the specific goods each side will offer.

The II Negotiation Round for the Free Trade Agreement between Costa Rica and Singapore concluded yesterday, after six days of video conferences.