U.S. and D.R. Governments Launch Program in Dominican Airports and Ports to Prevent Spread oh Harmful Diseases and Pests to Agriculture

4 February 2002

U.S. and D.R. Governments Launch Program in Dominican Airports and Ports to Prevent Spread oh Harmful Diseases and Pests to Agriculture

Las Américas Airport – The United States Government, through its Department of Agriculture (USDA), and the Secretariat of State for Agriculture of the Dominican Republic, signed a Cooperative Agreement to modernize the quarantine inspection programs in the international airports and maritime ports of the country, in order to prevent the spread of diseases and pests which could affect the animal and vegetable health of both countries, a situation which in the past has caused multi-million dollar losses for the agricultural sector.

The Chargé d´Affaires of the United States Embassy, Janice L. Jacobs, participated in this activity, which was held at the Las Americas airport. High level officials from the Secretariat of State of Agriculture and the United States Embassy also participated in the event.

The United States Department of Agriculture has installed special X-ray equipment in the most important ports and airports in the country, for the purpose of determining whether the passengers who travel to the United States, Puerto Rico, and the United States Virgin Islands, from Dominican territory, carry with them agricultural products which could be harmful to agriculture in the United States.

This program has been in operation for two years in the port of Santo Domingo, the Ferry terminal, and for several months in the airports of Punta Cana, La Romana, Santiago, Puerto Plata and Barahona. Passenger baggage checks have been successful and easy to perform.

This program also contemplates the installation of incinerators for the effective destruction of any material seized. Dominican personnel, duly trained, is in charge of handling this important equipment.

This Monday, February 4, under the provisions of this Cooperative Agreement, the Secretariat of State for Agriculture, together with officials from the United States Department of Agriculture in this country, formally inaugurated one of these machines in the Dr. José Francisco Peña Gómez Las Americas International Airport, the most important air terminal in the country.

During her remarks, Mrs. Jacobs expressed the appreciation of the United States Government to the Secretariat of State for Agriculture and the executives of AERODOM Siglo XXI, for cooperating with the installation of this novel system, which will permit the detection of potential diseases which could seriously affect the most important agricultural sectors of both countries.

Avoiding the introduction of fito- and zoo-sanitary diseases both in the Dominican Republic and in the United States will contribute to strengthen and increase agricultural trade between the United States and the Dominican Republic, since it would decrease considerably the risk of contamination.

High level officials from both governments and businessmen linked to the tourism and agricultural sectors of the country, among others, participated in the ceremony.