Mexican and Portuguese authorities at a meeting in Sagarpa headquarters. (Photo: Sagarpa)(Foto: Sagarpa)
MEXICOThursday, August 06, 2015, 03:40 (GMT + 9)
Officials of the Secretariat of Agriculture, Livestock, Rural Development, Fisheries and Food (SAGARPA) and the Ministry of Agriculture and Marine Affairs of Portugal expressed favourable views about strengthening trade and cooperation ties between the two countries.
This meeting was held under the Memorandum of Understanding signed between the two countries to boost fishery, agricultural and livestock product trade exchange.
Both parties discussed various issues such as health and food safety, ways to encourage seafood consumption and boost yellowfin tuna trade and export.
They also agreed to integrate work teams to intensify the research on sardine fishing, for example; and share strategies for promoting fish and shellfish consumption.
According to Undersecretary of Agriculture, Jesus Aguilar Padilla, Mexico is an open country to international trade so that his government is working on the continuous strengthening of cooperation and exchange ties with other nations.
In addtion, he stressed that the country has an active participation in international markets because their products qualify in terms of sustainability, health and safety.
For his part, the head of the National Commission of Aquaculture and Fisheries(CONAPESCA), Mario Aguilar Sánchez, emphasized the participation of Mexico during the Blue Week in Lisbon, which included the World Summit on the Ocean.
He also recalled that some time ago he met with the President of Portugal, Anibal Cavaco Silva, who acknowledged that Mexico has the potential to do a lot in the fisheries sector.
The Portuguese president stressed that although the sea has a key role in the economy of Portugal, his country is now reformulating policies focused on a stronger link with the water.
It must be recalled that the memorandum signed last March sets the creation of a working group to advance the procedures for export permits and health protocols for animal (including by-product), vegetable and agro-industrial processing products.