During the period from May to June this year, rainfall in the region is forecast to be below normal, leading to increased crop pests and a shortage of animal feed.
The International Regional Organization for Agricultural Health (OIRSA) reported that because of the lack of rain is predicted a greater presence of pests in crops of corn, beans and sorghum, due to projected low rainfall from May to July 2019, compared to the historical average.
The government of Honduras has announced that it will continue spraying trucks from El Salvador, due to the presence of a pest, but without charging the fee of $10 as it has so far done.
Fumigation of all trucks leaving the Salvadoran borders is essential since the presence of the pink hibiscus mealybug pest was detected in some shipments in recent weeks.
Regional health authorities reported that 100% of potato production in Honduras is affected by a plague known as "Paratrioza."
According to Guillermo Cruz, representative of the International Regional Organization, the lower production caused by the plague increases prices, adding that "what little is left is extremely expensive."
Cruz told Proceso.hn that, "the shortage of potatoes will require to import the produce and there is no sanitary control by national authorities.”
Carriers have been on strike for five days now at the Paso Canoas border between Costa Rica and Panama; they reject an increase in fumigation fees.
On June 15, the Panamanian delegation of the OIRSA, a regional health authority, increased from $5 to $11 the fee charged to trucks when fumigating cargo trucks.
“Veranado Ríos, from the Transportation Union of Chiriquí, Panama, assured that this increase was put in place without consulting any business chamber, union or association”, reported Nacion.com.
Truckers from both countries are protesting a $5 increase in vehicle fumigation fees and slow procedures in the customs office at Paso Canoa.
On June 15, Oirsa, a regional health authority, increased the phytosanitary fumigation costs at borders from $6 to $11.
An article in Prensa.com remarks that “Juan Carlos Segura, from the Costa Rican National Transportation Chamber, explained they decided to paralyze transport since yesterday at 8:00 for an undefined time, until this surcharge is removed”.
The "yellow dragon" plague, which has already created havoc throughout the world, could affect 6,000 hectares of orange farms in Panama.
The insect of the plague was detected in Florida, U.S.A. and has already arrived in Belize. The threat of the plague, which could affect more than 1,000 Panamanian producers, caused the Department of Farm Development (MIDA) to declare a phytosanitary emergency.
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