New IAEA Project for Latin America and the Caribbean
The Technical Cooperation Programme of the IAEA has launched a new project (RLA1021) to encourage the use of phytosanitary irradiation in the Latin America and Caribbean region. Despite the large potential of the region to export fresh produce, only Mexico and to a lesser extent Peru use the technology on a significant scale.
The objectives of this regional project include:
1) Providing advice and support for government decisions regarding the use of irradiation for quarantine purposes,
2) Strengthening ties between the technical sector, decision makers and the private sector,
3) Developing a technical-economic feasibility study in each participating country in the region,
The first meeting was held during the week commencing 7th March 2022. The participating countries are Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Ecuador, Honduras, Mexico, Peru, Uruguay and Venezuela.
Project title: Implementación del proceso de irradiación de frutas frescas y secas con fines cuarentenarios. (“Nuevas tendencias” uso de aceleradores de electrones).
ARCAL officer: Raquel Aledo
Technical officer: Celina Horak