The Secretary of Agroindustry, Luis Miguel Etchevehere, and the president of Senasa, Ricardo Negri, inaugurated this Wednesday (12.06.2019) the first stage of the Plant Laboratory, "unique of its kind in Latin America", which is part of the National Reference Laboratory of the organization in the Buenos Aires town of Martínez.
«The National Reference Laboratory is a key point for the exercise of animal and plant health control functions and the safety of agricultural foods, which contributes to international trade and the opening of new markets», said Etchevehere during his inauguration.
According to the official, "It is recognized throughout Latin America for the excellence of its level that strengthens the exercise of the functions of the Organization«.
«The scientific analyses carried out here are an essential contribution to the control of pests and diseases. that can affect agricultural products and threaten the safety of the food we consume.", Negri said.
The head of Senasa added: "We plan to continue integrating laboratories to provide a better service, which translates into a single standard for the domestic market and confidence for foreign markets."«.
The inaugurated work required an investment of US$ 9 million from the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) through the Provincial Agricultural Services Program (Prosap).
«The completion of this project allows Argentina to have a reference laboratory equipped with cutting-edge technology, which, together with highly qualified personnel, will strengthen the exercise of control and oversight functions carried out by Senasa.", they assured from Agroindustria.
The Plant Laboratory will operate alongside the Animal Laboratory and was designed according to national and international biosecurity standards and is considered "the first of its kind in Latin America," the national portfolio stated.
It covers an area of 2.246 square metres, which, together with the administration, maintenance and bioterium areas, totals a work area of 9.000 square metres.
The Plant Laboratory inaugurated today is responsible for certifying studies for the detection and phytosanitary identification of pests of quarantine importance for Argentina and countries that purchase national agricultural products.
It also deals with the detection of contaminating substances in products of plant origin and the performance of safety controls on this type of products, in addition to the extension of Argentine quality certificates required by purchasing markets, as well as the quality certification of chemical and/or biological inputs for agricultural use.
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