According to pineapple producers, a measure taken by the State’s Phytosanitary Service (SFE) two weeks ago to inspect pineapple production not only in the field, but also in the port, is causing exporters to lose to $ 2.5 million.
Abel Chaves, president of the National Chamber of Pineapple Producers and Exporters (CANAPEP), says the decision was taken arbitrarily and without notice by Francisco Dall’Anese, director of SFE.
Francisco Dall’Anese seems to be a controversial official, since he has disagreements with several productive sectors of the country. His actions are criticized even by the Ambassador of Costa Rica in the United States, Stafford Fitzgerald Haney.
However, Dall’Anese explained that
port inspections ensure that the country does not lose credibility with business partners and foreign trade isn’t affected, because the concern is that they close the market or that there is a plague, not having greater controls.”
On the other hand, Juan Lizano, president of the CNAA, said that a good inspection is not made by asking for the 1,200 million colones annually paid to the State’s Phytosanitary Service (SFE) to inspect.