Peru: SENASA: This year we will open markets for ten agro-export products

13/02/2017

The conquest of agricultural export markets has a first milestone: the signing of phytosanitary protocols, this is a step taken by the National Agrarian Health Service (Senasa), and its national head, Jorge Barrenechea comments on the work being done

After the entry of blueberries to China, what other product will enter that market?
We have quinoa and pomegranate. We have already sent all the information to China about quinoa. We are asking you to come. Once they do, the recipe is closed (a risk management document is issued) to prevent the Peruvian quinoa from causing health problems and a protocol is signed, which we estimate this year.

And the pomegranate?
To China, as with other countries, the issues are seen product by product. This is an agenda that was seen when we went to China with President Kuczynski.

What other countries are in the same process as China?
We would like everyone to leave. This year, four markets could be opened for ten products. We would sign phytosanitary protocols for quinoa in China, in Chile blueberries, in Japan citrus fruits and in Colombia we have seven products (purple corn, quinoa, lucuma, marigold, chia, crotalaria and canavalia). This last agreement was signed at the binational meeting in Arequipa.

In total, how many phytosanitary procedures are being carried out?
We have more than 150 cases in management, for 26 countries, and now we already certify load to some 174 countries.

United States

With the change of Government in the USA The picture changed?
With the USA First we have to wait for the new authorities, we had planned a meeting in February, but they have suspended it because of the political change.

What is the agenda with the US?
We are reviewing the improved access of asparagus and blueberries. At this time, all the asparagus is fumigated in the USA. and we are looking for an alternative measure such as fumigation at source, and in the case of blueberries irradiation.

What advantage do we get?
Lower costs For example, with asparagus fumigated in the USA. we lose competitiveness against Mexico. Although Peru holds the first place as an exporter, the volumes of shipments from Mexico have grown and the gap is narrowing.

Genetic material

What new products are being incorporated?
In the new products we have aguaymanto, pomegranate, fig, sweet lime, cherimoya, passion fruit, among others. In addition, there are companies that are exporting the genetic material from Peru to Brazil and Colombia.

Mincetur is driven to go to India, what is the progress?
We have already worked for the entry of avocado and asparagus for India. That's where blueberries and citrus fruits come from. By the end of the month we have a mission to Malaysia and India.

Animal health

How are the procedures for the export of chickens?
The rules are much harder for animal health. In the case of chicken, this Friday comes US people. for the process that allows access to cuts of poultry meat.

And the poultry producers?
It is likely that the Peruvian Association of Aviculturists (APA) hires technical and political lobbies. It is essential to leave the open space to export poultry meat, not only to the US, but also to return to Japan and Europe.

Simplification.

Senasa indicated that it will join the administrative simplification work promoted by the current Government.

Such is so, he said, that the regulations issued by the entity will be reduced from 21 to 4. In addition, the TUPA procedures will move from 84 to 33 in the next two months.
In addition, he indicated that he will promote a law to strengthen Senasa. Also, the emission of electronic phytosanitary certificates will be promoted.

Eradicate the fruit fly

According to the national head of Senasa, Jorge Barrenechea, this year it would be possible to eradicate the plague of the fruit fly from Virú (La Libertad) to Tacna.

"It is a very difficult job (...) Áncash, Lima, Ica and Arequipa are with very low population levels. But, precisely, that is the fly hardest to find, the one that hides"He said.

He added that in the regions of Moquegua and Tacna, this plague has already been eliminated.

He also explained that there is a second section of action in the northern zone (Tumbes, Piura, Lambayeque and part of La Libertad) and the northern part of the country.

To execute this last 'fly zero' plan, more than US $ 210 million will be needed. Part of these resources will come from an IDB loan.

"For the one in the southern and northern highlands we estimate that the credit will be approved in August. We are talking about US $ 210 million, where not only Senasa intervenes, but the Minagri, the MEF and the IDB", he pointed.

Source: Gestion.pe