Costa Rica's legal advice to defend itself in the avocado conflict with Mexico will cost the state about ¢72 million.
This was announced by the Minister of Foreign Trade, Jhon Fonseca, who said that the estimate was based on the negotiations to seek defense mechanisms.
The country hired the Advisory Centre on World Trade Organization (WTO) Affairs, to represent them in the process, opened by Mexico because of the phytosanitary measures that Costa Rica imposed on Hass avocado imports from that country.
The Center is an organization based in Geneva that is dedicated to counseling and providing non-profit legal representation to developing and underdeveloped countries seeking support in WTO matters.
Mexico resorted to the World Trade Organization (WTO) to ask for explanations on why Costa Rica has blocked the import of Mexican avocados since 2015.
The authorities of the State's Plant Health Service (SFE) took the decision in May of that year, after considering that the Sunblotch, a type of disease, could harm the national production if it entered Costa Rican territory.
Fonseca said the cost could depend on the meetings and the length of the case, if they reached an arbitration.
In addition, he added that in the coming days they would be formalizing that legal part.
"The Center of Legal Counsel's costs will depend a lot on how many visits they have to make, that would imply buying tickets, and paying travel accommodations, among other things.
For the moment, it seems, and this is not official, that the services of the Advisory Centre will cost around 120 thousand euro (¢ 72 million)," he said.
Regarding the total cost, the Minister said they had to analyze the variables and the time extension, which they still hadn't budgeted.
Fonseca said that the cost would be paid by the Ministry of foreign trade and the Ministry of agriculture.
The consultation process would take place on April 7, although the Costa Rican authorities are examining the possibility of extending the deadline.
Source: laprensalibre.cr