Guatemala and the Possibility of Exporting Pork Meat
Guatemalan authorities will meet with a committee of the World Organization for Animal Health, in order to declare the country free of classical swine fever and restart foreign sales.
Wednesday, May 15, 2019
The restrictions date back many years, since in 2011 the countries of the region established barriers to the entry of pork from Guatemala, after the presence of Classical Swine Fever was detected.
Regarding the actions being carried out by the government, the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Food (MAGA) reported that "next May 29 a commission is scheduled to travel to France to meet with the scientific committee of the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) to review the documentation that the country has submitted.”
According to MAGA, when the scientific committee approves the dossier, the OIE will have to issue an opinion declaring Guatemala free of classical swine fever.
Carlos Zuástegui, manager of the Guatemalan Pig Farmers Association (Apogua), explained to Elperiodico.com.gt that "... the required information has already been sent and that since 2013 efforts have been made in accordance with OIE regulations to eradicate the disease. After six years of efforts, it takes more than US$25 million to eradicate this disease (according to MAGA, it's Q40 million)."
Zuástegui added that "... currently only processed products are exported, but not live animals or fresh meat, so when the market is opened it hopes to increase production as well as investment in the sector.”
It has been announced that after having met all the requirements, the country has officially obtained recognition as a nation free of Classical Swine Fever.
The Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock reported that "...This recognition gives Costa Rica an official health status, thanks to the fact that the country does not have the disease and the conditions of legislation have been fulfilled which include veterinary services, control and eradication strategy, animal identification system, control of their movements and laboratory diagnosis, among other things."
Entrepreneurs in the sector plan to resume sales to El Salvador and Honduras during the second half of the year, after their restriction in 2011.
In 2011, countries in the region imposed restrictions on the entry of pork from Guatemala, after detecting the presence ofClassical Swine Fever.Now, Guatemalan pork producers are preparing to resume sales in the coming months.
The measure announced by the Salvadoran government applies to the import of live pigs, meat and meat products.
From a statement issued by the Ministry of Finance of El Salvador:
The prohibition of the importation of pigs from Guatemala is being maintained
The Directorate General of Livestock, at the Ministry of Agriculture reports that the restriction on the import of live pigs will be maintained, as well as fresh, cured, frozen meat, semen or other genetic material of porcine origin, from Guatemala.
español
6931
