The law which required packages of meat beef and pork products to have a label indicating the country of origin is no longer in effect.
After repeated resolutions from the World Trade Organization, which authorized Canada and Mexico to implement economic retaliation measures worth more than $1 billion, the US Congress has finally decided to remove the law that requires labeling of all red meat products which are sold in the retail market in the country.
The XXV meeting of the Latin American Association of Animal Production will take place in Panama in November 2017.
The event will address issues related to the use of technology to improve production of bovine meat and milk, as well as research into new breeding techniques.
"... A representative of the Panamanian Association of Animal Production (APPA), Rolando Guerrero, said that Panamanian livestock has undergone significant developments and this is precisely the opportunity to present the work of our technicians, researchers and producers, aimed at improving production both in terms of quantity and in quality. "
The endorsement from the Panamanian Food Authority is for imports of meat products of bovine origin and meat from birds, from both countries.
From a statement issued by the Panamanian Food Authority:
In the thirty-seventh regular session of the CCTSA, a Health Assessment audit report was presented for approval of Paraguay's Eligibility to export meat products of bovine origin to our country.
Between January and October the numbers of cattle slaughtered remained almost unchanged compared to the same period in 2014, while pork production recorded an increase of 5%.
The effects of climate influenced the results of beef production, mainly during the first half of the year. Representatives of the union of producers anticipate that next year they will be "...
The WHO should have anticipated the media impact of its report on the health effects of the consumption of red meat and processed meats, in order to avoid creating unnecessary panic.
EDITORIAL
Pablo León in an article on Elpais.com, highlights how unfounded is the alarm generated by the World Health Organization's (WHO) inclusion of processed meats (sausages, burgers, etc.) in the same category as being harmful to health, as tobacco, alcohol, plutonium and contaminated air because of its carcinogenic effects.
Government authorities and producers are considering to establish a laboratory in the Panamanian province of Chiriqui to analyze the quality of milk produced in the area.
The proposal is being developed jointly by the Cooperative of Milk Producers of Chiriqui and agriculture authorities. The goal of milk producers is acquire the technology needed to analyze and improve production processes necessary to raise the final quality of the product.
Industrial and milk producers have denounced that there is a growing presence in the region of products which are described as dairy but which do not contain milk nor comply with health regulations.
Ranchers, farmers and representatives of industrial companies reported the matter to the Panamanian Food Safety Authority (Aupsa), arguing that "... in the local market food products such as ice cream and cheeses can be seen, which instead of having dairy components, are processed with other raw material and substitutes that are not permitted by Panamanian health and import regulations.
There is a growing trend for pork consumption, encouraged in some countries in the region by ad campaigns created by companies in the sector.
An article on Eleconomista.net reports that "... Central Americans are eating more and more pork. At the head is Costa Rica, with a per capita consumption of 13 kilos in 2014. And while none of them are the same, all markets are demanding more.
The government has given approval to granting farmers a subsidy of $0.10 per liter of milk produced, until December 2016.
The grant was approved by the Cabinet at the request of the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock, for dairy farmers who days ago cited profitability problems, now compounded by the effects of drought.
"... This measure was taken by the Government after farmers nationwide requested the subsidy in a past meeting in Los Santos and the minister of the Ministry of Agricultural Development (MIDA), Jorge Arango, promised to get this support so they could overcome the crisis. "
The new regulations on health inspection for beef sets new hygiene standards in slaughterhouses and in vehicles used to transport the product.
From the executive decree published in La Gaceta de Panama:
"... Article 2. The scope of this Regulation is to establish the rules for the health inspection of meat and meat products from cattle in the Republic of Panama so that the inspection of these products ensures hygienic conditions for consumers.
The arrival of the first 5000 tons of beef from the South American country is expected on november 2015.
The business group Fortunato Mangravita plans to import at least 5000 tons per year, starting later this year.
Critica.com.pa reports that "... the general manager of the group, Ricardo Mangravita told the Paraguayan newspaper ABC that" It's just a matter of paperwork to start importing beef from Paraguay.
The total amount of exported kilos of milk rose from 76 million in 2013 to 92 million in 2014, with the number one destination being Central America, mainly Guatemala and El Salvador.
Data from the National Chamber of Milk Producers (Caprole) indicates that after Guatemala and El Salvador, the rest of the isthmus is the main market for exports of Costa Rican milk, but the Dominican Republic, Cuba and Venezuela are beginning to have greater preponderance among the markets where milk produced in Costa Rica arrives.
The World Bank has forecast a reduction in the international price of beef and chicken, cocoa, arabica and robusta coffee, and bananas, and increases in the price of corn.
From a statement issued by the World Bank:
WASHINGTON, July 22, 2015 –The World Bank is nudging up its 2015 forecast for crude oil prices from $53 in April to $57 per barrel after oil prices rose 17 percent in the Apr-Jun quarter, according to the Bank’s latest Commodity Markets Outlook, a quarterly update on the state of the international commodity markets.
In 2014 imports of leather goods and saddlery amounted to $1,647 million, a growth rate averaging 7% a year.
From a statement issued by the Costa Rican Foreign Trade Promotion Office (PROCOMER):
Leather has resurfaced as one of the leading fashion styles, both on Canadian catwalks and in retail stores, being recognized for its softness, durability and luxuriousness.
Paraguayan exporters have requested health permits to sell meat to Panama, from where they plan to redistribute it to other countries in the region.
Currently a sanitation mission from Panama is inspecting the health system and industrial facilities in Paraguay, which has the advantage of having authorization to export to the European Union. This certification would facilitate the process of obtaining permits in Central America.