After more than 20 years of restrictions, the National Service of Agri-Food Health and Quality (SENASA) has approved the entry of bone-in beef into Patagonia. This decision marks a significant shift in sanitary policies and opens new commercial opportunities for provinces like La Pampa, which have long fought to access this market.
The lifting of this barrier is based on recent studies confirming the absence of foot-and-mouth disease throughout the country, eliminating the main reason for the restriction. Additionally, SENASA has implemented strict control protocols to ensure the safety of the product without compromising the region’s sanitary status.
SENASA’s authorization allows bone-in beef from regions with foot-and-mouth disease vaccination to enter areas declared free of the disease without vaccination, such as Patagonia. This means that beef producers from provinces like La Pampa can now expand their market, benefiting both the industry and consumers, who will have access to a greater supply and better prices.
The governor of La Pampa, Sergio Ziliotto, described the measure as “a historic achievement” and highlighted its impact on the provincial economy. “Lifting this restriction represents a huge step forward for our producers, who can now compete on equal terms with other regions of the country,” he stated.
In addition to the economic benefits, SENASA’s resolution strengthens confidence in Argentina’s sanitary system and sets a precedent for future decisions in the trade of agricultural products. With this opening, Patagonia becomes a more accessible and competitive market, potentially attracting new investments and sustaining the sector’s growth.
This decision marks the end of a barrier that limited the development of the meat industry and highlights the joint work between the public and private sectors to ensure safe and efficient trade. Now, the challenge will be to maintain high sanitary standards and make the most of this new opportunity.
