Argentina - positive news on inspection procedures
Overview
SENASA, the Argentinian National Agrifood Health and Quality Service, recently decided to exempt certain products from phytosanitary and quality controls. A transition to a system of private inspections of holds loading grain products and by-products is currently being considered.
In what BIMCO considers a positive development, oils, flours, pellets, expellers, and other specific cereal and oil by-products (in Spanish, "tortas de cereales y oleaginosas") are now exempt from SENASA's phytosanitary and quality controls, unless such controls are required by the country of destination or the user. This follows from Resolution 37/2017 (in Spanish only), which is dated 26 January and already in force. According to information received, SENASA inspectors are no longer inspecting tanks or holds loading these products as a consequence of the resolution.
During the last year, BIMCO sees a positive development in the inspection practice. This appears to be related to new controls, implemented in the context of SENASA's Public Consultation No. 263 (concerning "Inspection and Approval of Winery/Tank Vessel/Barges go to transport grains, their products and by-products with destination to export, presented in grains"), to which BIMCO contributed.
Fewer complaints and comments related to alleged unfair inspection practices have been received by BIMCO and we believe this is closely connected with the increased focus on the matter within the Argentinean Government and SENASA. This was raised after the Maritime Anticorruption Network (MACN) and its local partner in Argentina, Governance Latam, started promoting an integrity-driven change through collective action.
As a consequence of this work, another resolution is being drafted, which should result in the transition to a system of private inspections of holds loading grain products and by-products, under supervision by SENASA. The final details of the relevant resolution are being considered by SENASA. Members will be notified about the details of the relevant, related resolutions and their entry into force date as soon as this information is available.
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Posted:
10 March 2017
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