There is an urgent need to improve livestock production methods in order for Central American to face the impending competition from North American livestock farming.
The possible entry of U.S. beef into Central America is worrying Nicaraguan meat exporters who continue to produce in the same way as they did 200 years ago.
"It is important to introduce livestock, we are producing in almost the same way as we did 200 years ago, this is happening because of the loss of competitiveness of Central America in meat exports," said Juan Sebastian Chamorro, president of the Nicaraguan Chamber of Beef Exporters (Canicarne).
The Nicaraguan meat industry is still not clear on what they need to obtain the certifications required by the European market.
In order for Nicaraguan products to reach the European market they must comply with health and quality certifications, not only on behalf of the farmers but also the agricultural authorities. Exporters hope that this will be resolved in less than a year and a half, meaning that the benefits of the agreement could be taken advantage of in 2015.
Nicaragua will need a minimum of a year to implement an adequate traceability system which will allow it to export meat to Europe.
"First certification must come from Europe, which says that they accept our system of traceability, and we must be prepared (to export) when the time comes," said the president of the Nicaraguan Chamber of Beef Exports (Canicarne) Juan Sebastián Chamorro.
Canicarne is demanding the repeal of the decree which establishes a fixed price of $250 for cattle weighing between 250 and 350 kilos, which favors the export of live cattle.
According to the Nicaraguan Chamber of Beef Exports (Canicarne), slaughterhouses are working at half capacity and demanding the repeal of the interministerial Mific-Magfor Decree 027-2007, believing that it encourages tax evasion in live cattle exports.