Panamanian producers are uniting in the face of the trade conflict with Costa Rica.

The Costa Rican dairy sector is one of the most affected by the differences between the two countries. (Revista Chacra) Panamanian producer associations responded to statements made by the new President of Costa Rica, Laura Fernández, who warned that Panama must comply with trade rules and remove barriers to Costa Rican meat and dairy products. Fernández was referring to a trade dispute between the two nations, which led Costa Rica to file a complaint against Panama with the World Trade Organization (WTO) on January 11, 2021. Panama had, in June 2020, suspended the operations of approximately 26 Costa Rican plants that processed meat and dairy products. Panama filed an appeal with the international organization, which has not yet been resolved. In light of this situation, the National Association of Cattle Ranchers (Anagan) and the Association of Milk Producers of the Central Provinces (Aplepc) stated that the existing situation does not stem from political decisions or discretionary trade measures. They claim that it is due to compliance with technical and sanitary procedures established in international standards of the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE), the Agreement on Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures (SPS) of the World Trade Organization (WTO), and Panamanian health legislation. Euclides Díaz, executive secretary of Anagan, a group that urges compliance with sanitary standards. Taken from Instagram. The milk producers of these two associations reiterated that they fully support strict compliance with international sanitary standards, and therefore support the actions of the officials in charge of the Ministries of Agricultural Development and of Commerce and Industries, entities responsible for protecting human health, animal health, and food safety. Anagan and Aplepc state that the suspension of the sanitary eligibility of certain exporting plants is due to the expiration of the country risk assessment and sanitary equivalence process, a mandatory procedure outlined in international standards and Panamanian legislation. They claim that, in order to renew this eligibility, the Panamanian health authority promptly sent the technical questionnaires and information requests necessary for the corresponding evaluation to the health authorities of Costa Rica; however, these requests have not been completed or submitted in the manner required by international protocols. Both associations argue that the reality is clear: the Costa Rican health authorities have not completed or submitted the technical information required by Panama to renew the country risk assessment and the sanitary eligibility of its exporting plants, a requirement essential according to the standards of the OIE, the WTO's SPS Agreement, and Panamanian legislation. They state that Panama cannot grant sanitary authorizations based on political pressure or commercial convenience. Public health, animal health, and the protection of the national agricultural heritage are above any economic interest. Luis Carlos Castroverde, president of Anavip, calls for a commercial relationship based on adherence and respect for regulations. Finally, they call for this issue to continue being addressed within the appropriate technical, scientific, and legal framework, avoiding political statements that could distort the true sanitary nature of the process. Meanwhile, the National Association of Poultry Farmers (Anavip) issued a call for the commercial relationship between the two countries to develop with adherence and respect for the regulations that correspond to an orderly, fair, and balanced trade, and that guarantees the protection of the phytosanitary and zoosanitary heritage of both countries. In the same vein, the Association of United Pork Producers of Panama (APUP) believes that all commercial relationships should be developed under principles of reciprocity, equity, and strict compliance with sanitary and phytosanitary standards that protect the Panamanian agricultural heritage. It reiterates that Panamanian producers deserve fair and transparent trade conditions, as well as the same respect and treatment that producers from other countries receive. The associations urged the authorities to maintain their position of defending national production.