The Tico Times Online Daily Page

Daily Edition: San José, Costa Rica, September 2, 2003

ONE FOR THE GUINNESS BOOK: The largest Gallo Pinto ever recorded was prepared at Parque de la Paz last weekend to help raise funds for people living with AIDS.
TT/ Julio Lainez

Exporters Prepare for U.S.
Bio-terrorism Law
The special commission created to prepare the country's exporters for the new requirements and challenges posed by the upcoming U.S. Bio-Terrorism Law will hold a series of seminars this month on how to register with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
(Click for more)

13,000 Reported Cases of Child Abuse in 2002
More than half of the 13,079 reported cases of child abuse attended last year by the Child Welfare Ministry (PANI) were committed by the victim's family member, according to a report released yesterday by the child advocacy group PANIAMOR.
(Click for more)

September 2

Paisaje Barroco
Concert to promote the new CD by the School of Music of the University of Costa Rica. Guest singers include Zamira Barquero and Raquel Ramírez and Ernesto Rodríguez, 8 p.m., at Eugene O’Neill Theater at C.R.-North American Cultural Center, Barrio Dent. Info: 207-5565.

"Password: Una Mirada en la Oscuridad"
Don’t miss this Costa Rican film on the sexual exploitation of children, followed by a forum, Sept. 3-13 at 11 a.m. and 6:15 p.m. at the auditorium of the Law School. Info: 207-4241.

Art Exhibit
Everyone is welcome to visit the show "Ambiente Universitario," with works by students of the University of Costa Rica. Opening, at 3 p.m., at the San Ramón Museum. Info: 207-4241.

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Exporters Prepare for U.S.
Bio-terrorism Law
By Fabián Borges
fborges@ticotimes.net

The special commission created to prepare the country's exporters for the new requirements and challenges posed by the upcoming U.S. Bio-Terrorism Law will hold a series of seminars this month on how to register with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

The law, scheduled to go into effect on Dec. 12, aims to protect the U.S. from the threat of unsafe and potentially dangerous food products by granting increased funding and powers to the FDA and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). A special commission in Costa Rica of several government institutions and export chambers was created last month to help exporters meet the strict new guidelines (TT, July 17, Aug. 19).

Last week, the commission issued a warning to exporters to be extra careful when hiring import agents and firms to help them with the registration process. The commission stressed the need for exporters to personally study and become familiar with the law before making any decisions about the best course of action.

It's still not clear whether the law will require exporters to hire legal representatives and import agents in the U.S.. However, given the increase of paperwork required by the new law, the commission is recommending exporters eventually seek legal aid.

Under the new law, all exporters will be required to re-register on-line with the FDA between Oct. 12 and Dec. 12. Exporters not registered during that period will no longer be allowed to sell their products in the U.S. market. Companies are only allowed to register once, so it's vital for them to get to know and understand the procedure and get it right the first time, the commission urged.

To make the registration process easier, Agriculture Minister Rodolfo Coto announced the government will open exporter registration centers at regional offices of the Agriculture Ministry and National Production Council (MAG). There, exporters will receive personal assistance on how to fill-out the forms required to register with the FDA.

This month, the Foreign Trade Promotion Office (PROCOMER) and MAG will hold training seminars throughout the country on the law and new export guidelines and procedures. The seminars will take place in Buenos Aires on the 9th, San Carlos on 11th, EARTH University on the 12th, San José on the 16th, Puntarenas on the 17th, Liberia on the 18th, and again in San José on the 30th.

As an added measure, on Sept. 22 a special hotline will be created to answer exporters' questions.

"The commission has been hard at work providing exporters with the tools they need to face the upcoming law," said MAG Project Coordinator Pilar Fernández. "Exporters are receiving priority access to resources such as broadband Internet and seminars to help them get acquainted with the law and express any doubts they might have. It's up to them to make the most of these opportunities."

While pleased with the commission's efforts, the National Chamber of Exporters and Producers of Fishing Products (CANEPP), insists the government must act rapidly to provide small-and-medium-producers and exporters with the preparation and tools necessary to adapt to the new law to continue current export levels.

If the right steps are taken, Costa Rican exporters could gain an important advantage over foreign competitors, the Chamber predicted.

Representatives of the National Horticulture Corporation believe the law's strict safety and health regulations for food products will lead to an improvement in the quality of fruits and vegetables, thereby benefiting domestic and foreign consumers. However, before this can happen, producers will have to make large investments in infrastructure, equipment and training, the corporation said.

For more information on the training seminars call Nury Bonilla at 260-8300.

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C.R. Exports Up 22%

Costa Rican exports during the first seven months of this year reached $3.7 billion, up 22% from the first seven months of last year, according to the Central Bank. Costa Rica's total exports for 2002 was $5.2 billion.

The monthly report showed that exports have increased in all sectors, with technology exports leading the charge. Microchip giant Intel registered more than 100 % increase in exports between January and July of this year, followed by industrial exports 27%, agricultural 11% and fishing 8%.

According to the report, imports also have increased to $4.48 billion, up 5.6% from $3.76 billion in July 2002.

Meanwhile, the trade deficit for the first seven months of the year dropped from $1.2 billion in 2002 to $780 million this year, the Central Bank reported.
-AFP

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13,000 Reported Cases of Child Abuse in 2002

More than half of the 13,079 reported cases of child abuse attended last year by the Child Welfare Ministry (PANI) were committed by the victim's family member, according to a report released yesterday by the child advocacy group PANIAMOR.

The 2002 report revealed that 66% of reported abuse cases occurred among family members, 22% were emotional abuse, 7% were sexual abuse from a non-family member and 5% were physical abuse.

The numbers also revealed that a some of the most serious forms of child abuse were committed by family members.

Of the 331 children and adolescents treated for abuse last year in the Children's Hospital, 72% had suffered abuse at the hands of family members, 17% from a known person outside the family, and 11% from a stranger. More than 50% had suffered sexual abuse, and 26% had suffered physical abuse, according to the PANIAMOR.

In an effort to combat child abuse, PANIAMOR will hold a series of roundtable discussions this month. The discussions are free and open to the public. For more information, call PANIAMOR at 234-2993.

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