Lohri Celebration Invitation Wordings

COLOMBIAN FRUITS AND VEGETABLES. ACOVIPA

On 27 August this year a total of 11 food products, especially fruits and vegetables exported from Colombia to Panama, were restricted by the Panamanian Authority for Food Safety (AUPs) for contain the presence of pests in shipments, according to a statement issued by the entity. Although the Colombian authorities claim that their products are free of live pests AUPSA had compiled a series of tests showing the presence of pests, forcing authorities to put products into quarantine. (1)

On shipments were detected pests such as the cochineal-bug, insects and fruit flies. The pests were found in soursop, mango, strawberries, avocados, figs, artichokes, sweet corn, lettuce and peppers. Agricultural Quarantine Directorate of the Ministry of Agricultural Development (MIDA) said the ban on food entering the country from Colombia is duly justified and seeks to avoid economic damage in the country. To Quarantine, this is not a new situation, since 2005 and for a period of seven to 10 days, the Government was forced to restrict the entry of flowers and plants affected by pests from Colombia. That year, the crops Panama coffee is affected by the presence of pests, causing losses of some 200 thousand dollars a year in campaign spending and pest control (2).

According Gilberto Real, manager Panamanian Authority for Food Safety, the instrument has been found to resolve the conflict plant is a "medical protocol" that satisfies the interests of Panama in order to safeguard the agricultural heritage and Colombia can also meet in order to restore bilateral trade. (3)

The negotiation of a protocol to reactivate the plant protection import and export of fruits, vegetables, flowers, birds and eggs between Panama and Colombia was one of the results of the XIII Meeting of the neighborhood between the two nations, which ended Sept. 2. (4)

Panama and Colombia agree that it is important to resolve as soon as possible those issues that involve a restriction on exports of products originating in both countries. The affairs of processed chicken and eggs, and the plant will be resolved through negotiation protocol, in one case and in the other reviews will take place in Colombia.
Sources:
1. La Prensa, August 28, 2008.
2. El Siglo, August 29, 2008.
3. La Prensa, September 3, 2008.
4. Century, September 3, 2008.