The initial meeting was held on June 1 at the headquarters of the Senasa NOA Southern Regional Center in which they discussed in detail the current certification program for fresh citrus fruit destined for export conducted by the Senasa to export to more than 66 countries.
On the occasion, the APHIS delegation composed by four representatives, toured and visited production and packaging facilities in the provinces of Tucuman and Salta, accompanied by experts from the National Directorate of Plant Protection and the Senasa regional centers NOA South and NOA North.
Technicians from the Experimental Station Obispo Colombres (EEAOC), of the Plant Association of Northwest Argentina (AFINOA), and entrepreneurs from the citrus sector also took part in the tour.
During the visit, they were informed about the Certification Program for Fresh Citrus Fruit for Export and they evaluated the procedures carried out in the field, packing facilities, port and certification. The Citrus Traceability Information System (SITC), a tool essential to ensure traceability of each shipments, was also presented to them.
There was also progress made in the technical and operational aspects carried out in order to comply with the management measures established by APHIS.
On June 5, the delegation visited a tax warehouse in the city of Buenos Aires, where they verified the operational procedures carried out prior to the dispatch of shipments destined for export, activities that are implemented by the staff of the Senasa Metropolitan Regional Center.
In the closing meeting, headed by the National Director of Plant Protection, Diego Quiroga, the APHIS delegation stressed the excellence with which the Senasa implements the certification process and the important role that producers and packers have in the creation of high quality products.
The delegation noted that APHIS would continue the process of publishing a proposed rule to establish the phytosanitary requirements for the entry of fresh lemon fruit from Northwestern Argentina to the US.
Source: tucumanoticias.com.ar