In our country, the pig sector has suffered an increase in pig smuggling that puts the national herd at risk, due to the possible entry of cross-border diseases.
This illicit trade network operates in several border departments with Mexico, including Huehuetenango, San Marcos, Cobán, and areas in the northeast of the country.
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This scourge is identified through: the sale of fat pigs for slaughter and the introduction of pigs for genetics. In both cases, the merchants do not have the sanitary permits issued by the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Food (MAGA), and do not pay the taxes corresponding to the income of the country. The chain is made up of merchants, transporters, slaughterhouse workers, among others; who use uncontrolled steps to move both standing pigs and pieces of meat.
Smuggling in the pork sector
In some regions of the country, such as Huehuetenango, Quiché, San Marcos, Retalhuleu, Petén, Cobán, Jutiapa and Chimaltenango, smuggling in the pork sector is increasing due to the lack of sanitary controls, the depreciation of the Mexican peso and has opened the door to new concerns for the sector, including the entry of diseases that currently do not exist in Guatemala and that put the country’s national and legal production at risk.
“Smuggling in the pork sector not only represents unfair competition, but also a threat to animal health and food security in our country. It is important that the authorities carry out more operations on roads and clandestine slaughterhouses to confiscate live animals, products and by-products, to combat this illegal practice and protect national pig farmers”, explains Axel Romero, management manager of the Commission for the Defense of Formal Trade (CODECOF).
Diseases
Historically, two diseases have entered Guatemala due to the lack of sanitary controls caused by smuggling: Classical Swine Fever, which entered from El Salvador in 1930; and Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea, coming from Mexico in 2015. In recent years, together with authorities from the MAGA Several successful operations have been carried out. However, because the processes have been complicated and progress very slowly, the sector needs the support of government institutions that have to do with the issue of smuggling.
To counteract this crime, the pork sector has initiated a series of actions, among them the generation of educational workshops, mainly topics related to health, management, nutrition, marketing and reproduction. It aims to reach small and medium producers throughout the country
The pork sector calls on the authorities to take more effective measures to combat pig smuggling and protect the health of the national herd. Likewise, it calls on society in general not to contribute to this illicit trade, and to consume pork products that comply with all sanitary and fiscal regulations in Guatemala.
