The authorities of the State Phytosanitary Service (SFE) of the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MAG), in collaboration with the Police force, seized and destroyed 760 meshes of fresh onion, i.e. 16,780 kilos, which had entered the country in two separate shipments through the southern border earlier this year.
According to the police's investigation, the product was smuggled from Panama to try to circumvent official controls as it did not have the required phytosanitary permits. The first shipment had 60 meshes weighing 1,380 kilos, and the second shipment had 700 meshes, with 15,400 kilos.
The SFE should ensure the country's agricultural health, and the Plant Protection Act No. 7664 gives it the power to prevent the entry of pests that endanger the phytosanitary status of the country.
The onion was destroyed according to established protocols because it did not comply with the import permits set by the SFE. This task was carried out through the Department of Phytosanitary Control, which performs inspections at borders, ports, and airports.
The Paso Canoas station is located on the border with Panama and a station will be soon established in Sixaola. The country also has another control station at the border with Nicaragua, one at the Peñas Blancas river, and a maritime post in Puerto Limon and Puerto Caldera. Likewise, there are checkpoints at the Daniel Oduber, Juan Santamaria, and Tobias Bolanos airports.
Pilar Jiménez Q.
Press SFE.
Tel. 2549-3452 / 8650-5480
jimenezp@sfe.go.cr