Paraguayan beef: US to audit in July, Japan in August

The National Animal HEALTH and Quality Service (Senacsa) has announced dates for on-site inspections of Paraguayan beef in the United States and Japan. These are two extremely important tasks.

In an interview with La Nación/Nación Media, José Carlos Martín Campercioli, HEAD of Senacsa, explained that in the case of the United States, the goal is to maintain the authorization already granted, while in the case of Japan, the goal is to obtain authorization to enter that market.

"Our livestock production is very important, and we've been working on it for some time. We're working on the details and making adjustments to ensure everything is done correctly," he said.

The audit in the United States will be conducted by the Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS). It will run from July 16 to 31. The purpose will be to assess compliance with established control measures to ensure the quality and safety of products exported to the country.

In this context, Martin Campercioli noted that the US audit will be one of the most rigorous. "We are very well prepared. We know we have room for improvement. This is unlike any audit that leaves us with recommendations, but we are preparing as best we can," he stated.

On the other hand, he stated that the American audit represents a significant step, given that it has quickly become one of the main markets for national MEAT production. The United States is currently the third-largest importer of Paraguayan meat.

JAPAN , A PROMISING MARKET

Dates for the evaluation of Japanese technicians were also announced. On-site animal health inspections will be conducted from August 4 to 8 by the Japanese Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries (MAFF).

This audit is part of the long-awaited process of opening the Japanese market to Paraguayan beef. "As part of their system, they include two audits. This is the first; after that, they'll conduct a risk analysis, and if they pass it, they'll come and inspect the plants," he explained.

Both audits are highly relevant for our country, given that the markets of both countries represent significant opportunities for domestic production and the livestock industry.