The Colombian Agricultural Institute (ICA) and the National Institute of Drug and Food Surveillance (Invima) announced recently that it had gained approval to export pork to the Cuban market. Approval was attained after specifying with the National Center for Animal Health of Cuba (Cenasa) the health certificate that endorses the exports of meat and meat products of the swine species.

To gain approval, Colombian exporters have to show that the animals from which the meat comes presented their respective sanitary mobilization guide at the time of arrival at the authorised plant, and that they were transported directly from the farm of origin to the benefit plant in a vehicle previously washed and disinfected and without having contact with other animals with lower sanitary condition for export.

The animals must also come from properties located in areas, regions or compartments free of classical swine fever, recognized by the OMSA. The meat must be obtained and prepared without coming into contact with other meats that do not meet the conditions required for export.

"The commercial relations we have established with Cuba represent an excellent opportunity for all small, medium and large Colombian producers to expand their production systems and contribute to the transformation of a more equitable, productive and peaceful field. From the Ministry of Agriculture and the ICA we will continue to work to strengthen cooperation ties, not only with Cuba, but with different countries in the world," said Juan Fernando Roa, general manager of the ICA.

Currently, Colombia can export pork to countries such as Macao, Ghana and Singapore.