Ecuador and Peru lifted the suspension of 10 agricultural products

Ecuador and Peru lifted the suspension of imports to 10 products, 5 of Peruvian origin (watermelon, citrus, peaches, grapes and corn kernels), and 5 from Ecuador: dry cane, beans, cocoa beans, papaya, and fresh flowers.

The decision was made last Tuesday, after a bilateral videoconference between authorities of the Ecuadorian Agency for Quality Assurance Agro (Agrocalidad) and Peru's National Agrarian Health Service (Senasa).

The provincial director of Agrocalidad, Alfredo Icaza, announced the decision to lift the suspension of Phytosanitary Import Permits (PFI) for 10 products from Ecuador and Peru.

"Importers who are already registered in the system can request the respective permits if they meet the phytosanitary import requirements," said Icaza.

Ecuador decided to suspend the issuance of phytosanitary import permits last April 13 to update phytosanitary requirements; while Peru suspended them on the 27 of the same month.

"This agreement mainly benefits the border areas and will help us control contraband," said Carlos Zambrano, governor of El Oro.

The measure became effective starting Thursday August 11.

The authorities will meet again in the city of Tumbes on September 20 to see if they lift the suspension of other products, such as onion and apple in the case of Ecuador, and pineapple and banana in the case of Peru.

Source: eltelegrafo.com.ec