Producers say importers pressure the government

Between pessimism of the producers from Chiriqui Highlands "lack of willingness of the Government" was held yesterday the first meeting of the technical committee that evaluates technical standards Copanit established since 1998.

The evaluation of the regulations, which allow simple inspection to identify whether imported potato or onion is in good condition, is part of the agreement reached between the producers with the authorities last week after a two-day strike.

Although the Government's willingness to meet the needs of producers was what made the protest culminated desabasteció vegetable markets of the main, today the picture is completely different.

Augusto Jimenez, president of the Association of Producers of Highlands, told this newspaper that the rules are being reviewed because they have nearly 20 years, but now the Ministry of Commerce and Industry (Mici) is arguing that are voluntary compliance by importers.

According to Mici, to give strict compliance should "raise a determined", but producers argue that once the rules were published in the Official Gazette and its strict enforcement was ordered.

Jiménez believes that the new government's position due to pressure from importers.

This, despite the fact that according to the Food Safety Authority (Aupsa), importers in a meeting they expressed support for domestic producers.

Another aspect was the agreed moratorium on the importation, after an inventory was made; however, now the Minister of Agriculture, Jorge Arango, has asked farmers eight working days to present the request to Mici.

If there is a good intention it won't have to wait eight days , but immediately presented the request for the Mici submit it to the World Trade Organization WTO , said Jimenez.

According to the inventory made by the authorities this week in the country today there are 85 million pounds of imported onion, 43,000 national , adding a total of 128 million pounds .

This amount is enough to three months' consumption Panamanians.

Alerta

Los productores de Tierras Altas en la provincia de Chiriquí, se declararon ayer viernes en estado

de alerta ante las negociaciones que se adelantan con las autoridades del Ministerio de Desarrollo Agropecuario y el Ministerio de Comercio para frenar las importaciones.

Augusto Jiménez, presidente de la Asociación de Productores de Tierras Altas, dijo que hay poca

voluntad del gobierno por establecer los parámetros que establece la ley para las importaciones de papa y cebolla.

Otro aspecto es el tema relacionado con la Comisión de Análisis de Riesgo, la cual se reúne el próximo jueves para

analizar los protocolos de importación procedentes de Holanda, ya que en este país hay problemas con plagas y nematodos y en Panamá solo tiene la Aupsa registrado dos.