The district head of the National Agricultural and Food Safety Service (SENASAG), Lizeth Garcia, reported that, even though there was a resolution that prohibited the entry of perishables into the country and the only border were they could be nationalized was Tambo Quemado, there was enough fruit entering the country this season, even illegally.
She noted that the border point had equipment like microscopes and reagents to detect larvae or pests that the fruits might contain.
She also reported that they had performed a visual inspection of the cargo and then, via a microscope, had seen that it contained certain insects, so they had sent samples to a laboratory. She also said that the test results would show what kind of larvae they were and what the consequences of their income into the country would be. However, she stated, the goods had already been rejected and were sent back to their place of origin.
"We have all the documentation, both from Customs and the amount that was going to enter the country. This fruit was nationalized in Tambo Quemado, as it is the only crossing point where the procedure is done. We have detected live larvae in it. Test results will be ready within a few days and we'll send this report to Chile, but the fruit is rejected," Garcia said.
She stated that they already had the resolution to return the truck with 934 boxes of infested apples, to protect the health status.
"We have counterparts in Chile that had to verify and issue the exit permits for this fruit. So, due to the agreements between Chile and Bolivia, once we report this product the Chileans will have to penalize the Tripartite communities in order to avoid such problems with importers and officials, as it is a problem to retain and verify the products. We've already reported to the Chilean side that the goods are being returned, " Garcia said.
Source: lapatriaenlinea.com