The agricultural chambers in the region are preparing law proposals to be presented in the Central American countries to remove the restrictions on growing GM foods.
Representatives from FECAGRO said the use of agricultural biotechnology allows for improved technology that enables high productivity seeds, reduces agrochemical use, creates more drought-resistant crops that can also be irrigated with salt water and are completely safe for human consumption.
The regional freight sector has agreed to purchase insurance to protect accident victims.
Prensalibre.com.gt reports that "The government of El Salvador and cargo transport unions in Central America, agreed yesterday in "supporting" a legal reform which alleviates them from the payment of a tax on those who already pay insurance to cover against any accidents, an official said. "
Complaints have been made stating that the new tax charged by the government of El Salvador on vehicles from other countries who cross its borders, will increase costs and hinders regional trade.
The Salvadoran decision "is detrimental to the competitiveness of the Central American region, further increasing costs related to insecurity, and this measure goes against the principal of free movement of goods in the region," said the Federation of Chambers of Agriculture and Agroindustrialists in Central America (Fecagro).
Ceca, the Central American Business Committee, is demanding the EU more flexibility when opening their market to agricultural goods.
In a press release, the entity expressed its discontent with the level of market access offered by the European Union. They are even considering walking away from the negotiations.
From Elperiodico.com.gt: “The business sector demands better market access for beef, sugar, rum and rice, and better tariffs for banana”.
The regional business sector rejected SICA’s decision to block trade with Honduras because it would affect all the economies of the region.
The closing of Honduras’ borders to trade is rejected by the Central American Federation of Agricultural and Agro-Industrial Chambers because it restricts the freedoms of companies, industry, and commerce.
Claudia Acuña writes in Prensalibre.com: “The organization said that this measure is putting Central American families at risk of not getting food by prohibiting the trade of basic goods. Carlos Zuñiga, president of Fecagro, expressed that the political crisis in Honduras should be resolved according to the laws of that country.”