On Tuesday, March 10, the Government of Guatemala approved the Law for the Protection of Banana and Plantain Crops in the country (Decree 7-2020). However, despite the approval of this new regulation, deputy Sonia Gutierrez, of the Winaq party, criticized the ambiguity in which the articles of the measure are written. According to Gutierrez, it leaves open the possibility that the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Food (MAGA) pays the Fusarium oxysporum pest control campaigns, and that the financial resources be allocated for it.
"The law does establish prevention and monitoring measures to prevent diseases in banana and plantain crops, but it's not very clear about how that prevention policy will be implemented," Gutierrez said.
In addition, the congresswoman said, it only favors banana and plantain producers, but not the conditions of the workers.
Deputy Orlando Blanco, of the National Unit of Hope (UNE), said the Law was created so that the State could protect this productive activity, due to the amount of economic resources it generates.
“The repercussions of a disease in this product would demand State intervention. We must recall that the State has already generated actions for coffee, sugar cane, and rice,” Blanco said.
Source: emisorasunidas.com