An international meeting dedicated to food safety requirements for products of animal origin exported to the European Union took place in Madrid, Spain, from May 18 to 22. The event brought together representatives from Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay, Peru, and Uruguay.
The conference was organized by the Spanish Agency for Food Safety and Nutrition (AESAN) with financial support from the Development Bank of Latin America and the Caribbean (CAF).
The main topics of discussion included official control systems, risk assessment procedures, and maximum residue limits (MRLs) for veterinary medicines and other substances in animal-origin products exported to the EU.
The issue is particularly important for the swine industry, as the European Union remains one of the key export destinations for many Latin American countries. Compliance with EU residue requirements is a fundamental condition for market access, while violations of established limits frequently result in border rejections and the suspension of export approvals.
During the conference, each delegation presented an overview of its national food safety system, the authorities responsible for inspections, and the measures implemented to comply with EU regulations.
The agenda also covered risk assessment methodologies, interagency cooperation, border control procedures, and the operation of sanitary alert systems in Spain and across the European Union.
As part of the practical program, participants visited the Regional Public Health Laboratory of the Community of Madrid and the Border Control Post at Adolfo Suárez Madrid–Barajas Airport. There, they gained first-hand insight into the inspection procedures applied to products entering the EU market.
The event coincided with the conference marking the 25th anniversary of AESAN, which focused on science, international cooperation, and food risk management.
The meeting represented another step toward harmonizing food safety control approaches and strengthening trade relations between Latin American countries and the European Union.
PigUA.info, based on pig333.com