The National Service for Agri-Food Health and Quality (Senasa) participated in the Big Data and Blockchain Conference, which took place last Wednesday, October 23, in Buenos Aires, within the framework of the initiative of INAI and the Bolsa de Cereales, among other entities. The objective was to analyze the “application of new technologies for the Argentine agroindustry.”
In dialogue with Customs News, The director of Foreign Plant Trade of Senasa, Martín Delucis, stated that "The incorporation of Blockchain into the traceability system adds transparency, trust and agility to foreign trade".
To monitor citrus exports, Senasa recently adopted a new version of the Citrus Traceability Information System (SITC) that includes the use of new technology to provide greater clarity to commercial transactions.
In this regard, Delucis explained “the launch of the first document on the Argentine Federal Blockchain platform, an initiative that was carried out by Senasa’s Information Technology Department.”
"It is a stamped document of the citrus traceability system that we have for the export of fresh fruit to the European Union, South Korea, Mexico and the United States, among other destinations.", He explained.
“This initiative isIt is the first step. Senasa already has new projects such as the phytosanitary certificate uploaded to Blockchain. It is a document that covers shipments of products of plant origin that Argentina exports to the world."Delucis stressed.
And he clarified: “The phytosanitary certificate is the ID of the plant product, like a passport for us. We hope to have it uploaded to Blockchain by the end of the year. The measure will bring agility and transparency to trade».
"Argentina is a leader in the use of these new technologies that are being implemented in the world.. Specifically, we from the phytosanitary certification and from Senasa, as members of the International Commission for Plant Protection, are working on electronic certification within the scope of the international convention, which is a digital document between official bodies. This will allow replacing the use of paper in the requirements between health services and, above all, will add efficiency to foreign trade," concluded the director.
Senasa is currently developing the incorporation of other documents into Blockchain, with the aim of adding more transparency and security to the food certification process.
The most important thing will be to have the Phytosanitary Certificate in Blockchain, as well as extending this technology to other traceability systems such as the Computerized System for Traceability Management of Pome Fruit (SIGTRAZA).
Aduana News is the first Argentine customs newspaper to launch its digital version. With 20 years of experience, its publications and initiatives aim to provide the most relevant knowledge on customs issues in order to contribute to safe trade in the region.
