The Nicaraguan Assembly approved a bill empowering the Institute of Protection and Health to impose economic sanctions on any agricultural producer who fails to comply with phytosanitary requirements at the time of an inspection.
The business sector considers that the law known as the "Plant Protection Act" has excessive discretion, since the Institute of Protection and Health (IPSA) cannot become judge and party in relation to complaints to the competent authority, because of the probable existence of a crime.
Authorities from both countries began the process of sanitary validation for the export of five agricultural items of Dominican production to the Asian nation.
The negotiations take place within the framework of the new diplomatic and commercial relations established between the two nations, and on the basis of the sanitary protocol signed by the parties in November 2018, informed the Ministry of Agriculture of the Dominican Republic.
In El Salvador, private laboratories certified by the National Quality System will be able to analyze samples of food and beverages in order to opt for a sanitary registration during vacation periods.
The amendments, which were confirmed by the Ministry of Health and Social Assistance (Minsal) and the Ministry of Economy (Minec), respond to the requests made by businessmen at the first meeting of the Trade Facilitation Committee (Cifacil).
Health authorities in Costa Rica have confirmed that since May they have prevented the entry of products from two dairy plants belonging to the Mexican company Lala in Nicaragua.
After information was circulated about the alleged closure of the Nicaraguan market to dairy products from three companies in Costa Rica, the health authorities of this country have acknowledged that since May 2016 they have restricted the entry of Lala's dairy products , having detected".. . several examples of "non - compliance" in the production system of the two plants inspected. "
The departure of the director of the SFE could improve dialogue between authorities and agribusiness after months of confrontation over the imposition of non tariff barriers.
In a statement issued by the Ministry, the chief Luis Felipe Arauz said 'I, as Minister, asked her to resign.It is absolutely false that the deputy minister signed any certificates that were not inspected.She asked for, and I supported, a return to the system of inspections in packing plants and in the field, in this way strengthening controls in order to improve the issue of INTs in pineapples'."
Nacion.com reports that "...From yesterday afternoon, explained Arauz, controls on pineapple exports at the port were suspended and measures were streamlined in order to reinforce SFE staff carrying out inspections in the field with six officials from the MAG as well as a plan to train inspectors from companies in coordination with the United States Department of Agriculture. "
In relation to the conflict over the ban on imports of avocados from Mexico, the minister was clear that the situation remains the same."...After repeating several times that the dispute was only on the issue of changes in pineapple controls, minister Arauz said that support is being maintained for other controversial measures taken by the now former director of the SFE, such as the issue of Hass avocados."
The country has been criticized for violating trade agreements and placing phytosanitary barriers on trade using political-ideological and non-technical justifications.
EDITORIAL
Having entrusted the management of the Ministries of Economy and Commerce and Agriculture and Livestock -and linked institutions - to a group of officials who believe in their own last century protectionist model - and going against openness to the world practiced by the country in the last 20 years, and who were also openly opposing the Central American Free trade Agreement (CAFTA) with the United States, the Solis administration has made sure that there will be recurrent conflicts related in trade of agro-industrial products to the Northern nation, Costa Rica's main trading partner.
The country will present itself before the WTO to establish that the import of avocados will be subject to certification showing its precedence from zones free of Sun-Bloch.
The request will be made by Costa Rica through the World Trade Organization (WTO), whose Committee on Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures meets this week. As part of that committee, Mexico and Guatemala had announced that they would initiate a mechanism of "commercial concern " over the restrictions imposed on entry of the fruit into Costa Rica.
Approval has been given to the creation of a global system of digital certification to control pests and plant diseases which can spread during international trade.
From a statement issued by the Costa Rican Foreign Trade Promotion Office (Procomer):
The Commission on Phytosanitary Measures (CPM), the governing body of the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC), consisting of 181 countries, has approved the creation of a new global electronic certification system called E-Phyto, which will help stop the spread of pests and diseases via agricultural products transported in international trade, in a way that is safer and cheaper.
On January 20 a sanitary protocol was ratified which enables the export of shrimp caught in Costa Rican waters to China.
From a statement issued by the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MAG):
During the visit by the President of the Republic, Luis Guillermo Solis Rivera, to China, ratification was given to signing of a sanitation protocol for the export of prawns, a prerequisite for the official opening up of the Chinese market for prawns caught in Costa Rican waters.
A resolution requiring food companies to carry out three microbiological tests every year has been suspended.
The Ministry of Health has rescinded a resolution which required merchants and manufacturers dedicated to food processing to submit raw materials to three microbiological tests each year.
According to the manager of the Chamber of Commerce, Industries and Agriculture of Panama, Rafael Carles, "...
Central America must improve the quality standards of its products, learn more about the consumers and simplify processes in order to take advantage of the opportunities of the Agreement with the European Union.
In order to maximize the opportunities provided by the Association Agreement which has been signed with the European Union (EU), Central American companies must have a better understanding of the European market, which has more than 500 million consumers who are demanding in terms of quality and food safety. Furthermore, it is essential to simplify export procedures in order to expedite the process of obtaining permits and other procedures which are reducing export competitiveness in Central America.
Due to recent seizures of products attempting to enter the country without health permits, an announced has been made of enhanced controls to prevent the entry of any food that does not have the appropriate certifications.
From a statement issued by the Government of Panama:
Pursuant to the Health Standards and / or phytosanitary and health protection of the population, the Panamanian Authority for Food Safety (AUPSA) reiterates that any food product that does not meet the required provisions will be retained, returned or incinerated if necessary.
From September 3rd to 5th industry experts will be meeting in Tegucigalpa to discuss issues such as farming techniques, shipping costs and plant sanitation methods.
The International Congress of producers of melons, watermelons and vegetables will focus on the agro-export sector and phytosanitary standards required by different markets.
"... Latin American experts will talk about techniques to improve production, plant sanitation methods, shipping costs and market studies ... One of the main difficulties for exporters is lack of knowledge about health rules for each market, which prevents making better use of trade agreements and potential export niches. "
Poultry producers are awaiting the arrival in September of safety inspectors from the USA to complete the process and obtain a final certification to export chicken meat.
The food safety and security certification process needed to obtain the sanitary permit to export chicken meat to the United States is nearing completion for the poultry industry in Honduras.
The rule adopted by the Council of Ministers of Economic Integration aims to eliminate border controls and forces companies to give a 15 working days notice for imports and exports.
Crhoy reports that "...Some representatives of the private sector in Central America have criticized a directive which came into effect this month, which imposes new phytosanitary measures for exports and imports, which was approved by the Council of Ministers of Economic Integration (Comieco). ". ..In contrast, Costa Rican exporters "... say they have had no problems at the moment and they are ready, in fact they recognize that it will facilitate trade."