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Lawmaker wants answers after Costa Rica inexplicably bans import of pork from Chile

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May 20th, 2015 (InsideCostaRica.com) Rep. Otto Guevara (ML) is seeking an explanation after Costa Rica’s National Animal Health Service (SENASA), part of the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MAG) banned the import of pork from Chile without providing any explanation.

 

Guevara yesterday asked MAG chief Felipe Arauz to “immediately clarify the reasons underlying the ban on the import of pork from Chile.”

 

Guevara said the move sends a negative message internationally, saying that Costa Rica “has been trying to position itself internationally as a friendly trading partner” and should honor the country’s international free trade agreements, including its agreements with Chile.

 

Guevara said he hopes that the decision is not the “symptom” of a protectionist government in opposition to the country’s free trade agreements and provisions agreed to by way of the World Trade Organization (WTO) and other treaties.

 

Costa Rica imported 5,200 tons of pork in the first four months of this year, most of which comes from Chile.

 

Guevara warned that the ban could increase pork prices.

 

 

Avocados from eight countries, U.S. state of Florida also banned

 

Meanwhile, Costa Rica’s supply of avocados is beginning to dwindle and could run dry within two weeks after the country banned the import of the fruit from eight countries earlier this month, according to the The Chamber of Importers of Perishable Products.

 

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  • Ken Morris

    It’s always a little worrisome when I find myself agreeing with Otto Guevara, but based on the information at hand, I do.

    Although there may be good reasons to restrict or ban the imports (we’ve been over this issue before), there doesn’t seem a warrant for a government ministry to do so arbitrarily in defiance of various trade treaties. A decision like this would seem at least to require some kind of legislative involvement.

    Quite apart from the merits or demerits of the decision, it therefore looks like there is another government ministry out of control. Only if there were an immediate public health threat would I think an arbitrary decision like this be justified.

    I lmay not agree with Guevara on the best policy for trade in pork and any number of other things–I would have to be persuaded one way or another by the debates–but I certainly agree that the legislature should not be blindsided and there should at least be debates.

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