The National Chamber of Pineapple Producers and Exporters (CANAPEP) made a vehement appeal to the authorities to “implement, as soon as possible, all available legal mechanisms to sanction the illegal planting of pink pineapple, detected so far in the Huetar Norte region.”
This irregularity could bring legal implications after the commitments signed by the country to guarantee the Intellectual Property Rights in the Central American-United States Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA), as well as those set forth in this same matter of the Association Agreement between Central America and the European Union (AACUE), due to the implications that this news is already having in the US and European markets.
“Two decades ago, the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MAG) granted Fresh del Monte, an associate of CANAPEP, exclusive approval for the research and development of this new pineapple variety after complying with the corresponding protocols, including the registration of intellectual property, production, export permits, and biosecurity measures.”
“According to CANAPEP, if the issue is not addressed, it could affect the companies' future investments in research, innovation, and development in the country.”
The organization also asked the Foreign Trade authorities to analyze the possibility of removing those companies that have violated the legislation by illegally planting this new variety from the "essential Costa Rica" country trademark and that the State Phytosanitary Service (SFE) implement quarantine measures for those plantations and farms where it is suspected that it has been planted illegally.
For more information:
CANAPEP
Apto. Postal 585-1007
San José, Costa Rica
Tel.: (506) 2291-5237
info@canapep.com
https://canapep.com