Mexico: Mexico and Guatemala have activated a consultation at the WTO against Costa Rica

Both countries maintain commercial mechanisms triggered concern veto avocado imports Costa Rica.

Both the Mexican government like Guatemala have activated the trade concern against Costa Rica at the World Trade Organization (WTO) by the veto has brought import avocado.

Guatemala and Mexico requested the Committee on Sanitary and Fitosanitas the opening of trading on the avocado. Mexico moved from the possibility of establishing an arbitration panel, like the one recently filed against Costa Rica and El Salvador should be resolved within a minimum period of 60 days.

The closure avocado imports adopted last May 5th when the authorities of the State Phytosanitary Service (SFE), without prior notice, closed the border suspected that a plague that has affected Mexico and eight other countries called “sunblotch” or “Sun Spot” could enter and affect domestic production.

SFE director, Francisco Dall’Anese said that two technicians who are working in the ARP (analysis of risk of introduction of the pest) being only one responsible for the study.

The director explained that the study will enable ARP recognize the level of allowable risk and Mexicans should determine which areas are to declare free, evaluate and follow up to update the data. “He did Peru and California when they declared their free areas and this is now being allowed to import.

However, it is speculated that since the consultation process would last at least 60 days could be an advantage as the Costa Rican government for domestic farmers to sell all their domestic production and then remove the restriction.