Dominican Republic declares free of MOSCAMED
Dominican Republic declares free of MOSCAMED
The authorities of the agricultural sector of the Dominican Republic declared on Friday, July 7th the eradication of the Mediterranean fruit fly from the national territory, which will allow the export of 18 products from the Dominican Republic (mainly fruits and vegetables) to the United States of America and other countries which prohibit the entry of products from affected places.
By the resolution No. RES-MA-2017-11, the Ministry of Agriculture declared eradicated the outbreak of Mediterranean fruit fly (Ceratitis capitata Wiedemann) for several months that affected the provinces of La Altagracia and La Romana in the east region of the Dominican Republic.
Gregory Marte, general coordinator of the MOSCAMED-RD program, said that 18 fruits and vegetables were banned, putting at risk 30,000 jobs and economic losses of 40 million dollars in nine months.
Different leaders of the agricultural sector have expressed the importance of having declared the Dominican Republic free of the Mediterranean fruit fly because it will allow the resumption of exports of a series of products to the United States market.
This is a transcendent milestone because of more than 120 countries infested by the pest; the Dominican Republic today is among the 14 countries that have managed to eradicate the Mediterranean fruit fly thanks to the contribution of US$12 million of the Dominican government and the technical and financial support from international organizations.
The event was led by the Minister of Agriculture, Ángel Estevez, leaders of the national agricultural sector and representatives of international organizations, including Mr. Frank Lam, Representative of IICA in the Dominican Republic.
