General Information ARGENTINE REPUBLIC National Borders NATIONAL BORDERS Total Border Kilometers: 14 046 Protected Borders Kilometers of Sea Coast Borders: 4675 km (33 %) Kilometers of River Borders: 3488 km (25 %) Kilometers of Mountain Borders: 4591 km (33 %) Unprotected Borders Kilometers of Unprotected Borders: 1292 km (09 %) 1
The Argentine Republic is a sovereign State, organized as a representative and federal republic. It is located at the southeast end of South America. The capital city of the Nation, and where the federal government is located, is Buenos Aires, an autonomous city. The territory of the Argentine Republic is divided into 23 provinces: Buenos Aires, Catamarca, Corrientes, Entre Ríos, Mendoza, San Luis, Santa Fe, Salta, Chaco, Chubut, Córdoba, Formosa, Jujuy, La Pampa, La Rioja, Misiones, Neuquén, Río Negro, San Juan, Santa Cruz, Santiago del Estero, Tierra del Fuego, Antarctica and the South Atlantic Islands, and Tucumán. Due to its extension (2 780 400 km 2 ), it is the second most extensive state in Latin America, fourth in the American continent, and eighth in the world, should we only consider the land area under its effective sovereignty. If one considers the Falkland, South Georgia and South Sandwich islands and the Shag Rocks (all governed by the United Kingdom, but under dispute with Argentina regarding their sovereignty), and the Antarctic area, claimed at the 60º S parallel and named Argentine Antarctica (which includes the South Orkney and South Shetland islands), the total land area would rise to 3 761 274 km 2 and the country would then be the seventh largest country in the world. 2
Internal administrative borders (regional and local) 3
The most important cities and routes of communication 4
Most important cities and towns POPULATION Argentine Republic 5
Most important routes of communication / land routes NATIONAL ROUTES Argentine Republic 6
Most important geographical aspects (rivers, mountain range, other) HYDROGRAPHY Argentine Republic 7
8 LEVEL CURVES Argentine Republic
FMD Regions Zones recognized by OIE as free from FMD Free zone with vaccination: Broder Strip Free zone with vaccination: Center-North Free zone without vaccination: Valles de Calingasta Free zone without vaccination: North Patagonia A Free zone without vaccination: Patagonia 9
Regionalization of Bovine Brucellosis The province of Tierra del Fuego, Antarctica and South Atlantic Islands was declared as a "Zone Free from Bovine Brucellosis and Tuberculosis" by SENASA Resolution No. 100/2011, dated March 1 st, 2011. In order to adopt this measure, SENASA carried out an evaluation of the potential factors for the occurrence of both diseases in the province, as well as the epidemiological background and the corresponding epidemiological samplings. It also took into account that no clinical cases or lesions compatible with such diseases were reported in the bovine population of the province and that no human cases were reported at the reference centers for animal diseases. Said Resolution prohibits bovine brucellosis vaccination within the provincial scope and, thus, regulates the status of area/zone without vaccination that it always had. Moreover, it states that all producers, veterinarians and other health professionals have the obligation to notify any suspicion or indication of the occurrence of bovine brucellosis or tuberculosis in line with other standards on this matter. 10
ORGANIZATION AND OPERATION OF HEALTH SERVICES Central offices of the Health Services of the country or region The National Service for Agri-Food Health and Quality (SENASA) is a decentralized body under the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries of the Argentine Republic. SENASA is responsible for implementing animal and plant health and quality policies by supervising compliance with the legislation in force governing these issues. It is also responsible for controlling movements of goods and animals within the country and inspecting imported and exported animals, products and derived products of animal and plant origin, agricultural products, pharmacological and veterinary products, agrochemicals and fertilizers. SENASA Headquarters are located in Av. Paseo Colón 367, in the Autonomous City of Buenos Aires. Local and regional offices of the Health Services of the country or region Regional organization: As a result of the operational decentralization, 14 Regional Centers (RC) were created. Each RC has a General Coordinator (GC) of the Service for Agri-Food Health and Quality. The Regional Supervision Offices (31 throughout the country) report to the GC, and each of the 347 Local Offices in the country report to their pertinent Regional Supervision Office. 11
Influence area of Regional Centers SENASA Offices are distributed throughout the national territory and report to the Regional Centers. Their purpose is to provide answers regarding processes and requested information to agricultural and livestock producers, exporters, importers and the general public. 12
SENASA OFFICES Argentine Republic Headquarters REFERENCES REGIONAL CENTERS HEADQUARTERS OF REGIONAL CENTER OFFICE OFFICE HEADQUARTERS 13
Official central and regional laboratories SENASA laboratory is considered an international reference laboratory. It is comprised of a complex of laboratories specialized in analytic controls related to animal and plant health, food safety and the quality of products, by-products and agricultural and livestock inputs. It is comprised of two central laboratories, one in Buenos Aires City and one in Martínez, located in the northern area of Greater Buenos Aires, plus twelve regional laboratories and four experimental fields distributed throughout SENASA regional centers. It supervises the National Network of Laboratories, which has over 400 laboratories owned by third parties registered in all the country, thus facilitating the access of users to analysis. The Laboratory Network is made up of: REGIONAL LABORATORIES: The 12 Regional Laboratories are official SENASA laboratories, located in various localities within the country. They rely technically on the General Directorate for Laboratories and Technical Control. They perform analytical tasks related to health and food safety programs, and biological control testing. They are also responsible for auditing laboratories within SENASA s National Network in the provinces. LABORATORIES OF THE NATIONAL NETWORK: These are both private laboratories and laboratories from national or provincial institutions which, after having met the requirements laid down by SENASA, are approved to conduct analyses and controls within the framework of the programs designed by the various National Directorates of the Service. Information on the authorized tests of the laboratories of the National Network is available on the following website: http://www.senasa.gov.ar/institucional/laboratorio/red-nacional-de-laboratorios-0 14
15
Map of points of entry approved to conduct inspections (air, sea, land), sea ports, airports, and border control posts 16
Official Organizational Chart 17
Description of responsibilities of the different structures mentioned in the organizational chart at national, regional and/or local level and their coordination All the objectives and functions of the Service are detailed in Decree No. 354/2013, which amends Decrees No. 1585/1996 and No. 825/2010. In addition, said Decrees are supplemented by SENASA Resolution No. 466/2014. These standards are attached hereto. As a summary, the functions of the National Service for Agri-Food Health and Quality are hereby transcribed: 1. Preventing, diagnosing, controlling and/or eradicating, within its field of authority, animal diseases and zoonoses, including plant pests and diseases, by implementing and promoting sanitary actions throughout the country. Establishing the procedures for the control of products, by-products and derivatives of animal and plant origin within its scope of authority to ensure their safety and quality. 2. Developing scientific research and proposing programs and technical norms on animal and plant health and quality, including their products, by-products and derivatives as well as those on active ingredients, agrochemicals and biologics. 3. Overseeing: a) Compliance with norms and regulations on hygienic and sanitary issues and food safety in animal husbandry and slaughter; in products, by-products and derivatives of animal origin; in plants, their parts, by-products and derivatives. b) Compliance with the norms on use and marketing of products, active ingredients, drugs, raw materials, biologic and biotechnological products used in or related to veterinary medicine and animal husbandry, determining maximum acceptable levels for residues and contaminants. c) Compliance with technical norms and regulations on production, marketing and use of agrochemicals, products and drugs, phytotherapeutic products, biologic and biotechnological products used in or related to plant health and production, determining maximum acceptable levels for residues and contaminants in plants and their products. 18
4. Controlling and certifying: a) The health and quality of animals and products, by-products and derivatives of animal origin. b) The health and quality of plants and its parts, products, by-products and derivatives of plant origin. c) The quality of products intended for diagnosis, prevention and treatment of diseases and/or pests affecting the health and quality of animals and plants, and their products, by-products and derivatives. d) The conditions and quality of chemical and biological inputs used in the production of animals and plants, their products, by-products and derivatives, their manufacture and processing, as well as in their conservation, packing, storage and transport. e) Chemical residues and microbiological contamination in foodstuffs within its sphere of authority. 5. Performing all necessary analytical tests to carry out its activities. 6. Issuing required health and quality certifications for domestic consumption and for exported and imported products. 7. Defining epidemiological zones and/or borders when necessary to safeguard the health status of animals and/or plants and to protect public health by implementing all necessary measures. 8. Adopting and implementing applicable technical and administrative measures, including the slaughter of animals and/or destruction of plants, to safeguard the health status of animals and plants or to protect public health. 9. Overseeing compliance with the obligations to which individuals or companies must conform as provided for in the legislation in force within its sphere of authority. 10. Registering, approving, enrolling, closing down, suspending and overseeing operators and establishments that process and/or manufacture, condition, store, transport and market products that are within its sphere of authority. 11. Registering, approving, prohibiting and/or restricting the use and/or marketing of agricultural inputs that are within its sphere of authority. 12. Promoting improvements in environmental management in laboratories, quarantine stations, 19
border control posts, experimental farms and other facilities of the Service, emphasizing on waste management and minimization of the use of water and energy. Collaborating with the competent environmental authorities. 13. Generating and providing statistical information within the sphere of authority of the Service. 14. Promoting and carrying out research, development and public production of products intended for diagnosis, prevention, eradication and treatment of animal and/or plant diseases and/or pests. 15. Promoting and facilitating the establishment of Continuous Training Centers for national, provincial and/or municipal officials, the private sector and related official entities in line with national policies and/or programs and those of international reference organizations, in order to provide training and specialization, increase their capabilities and improve the competencies of the agents of the Service and its associates. 16. Implementing and promoting, within its sphere of authority, applied, documentary, field, experimental or analytical scientific research with the purpose of optimizing compliance with its primary responsibilities in the fields of animal health, plant protection, agri-food quality and safety, and commitment to the environment, to achieve the objectives laid down in Act No. 25467. VETERINARY STAFF OFFICE VETERINARIANS PS* HFL** PRESIDENCY UNIT 8 7 NATIONAL DIRECTORATE FOR TECHNICAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE ISSUES 1 1 NATIONAL DIRECTORATE FOR AGRI-FOOD SAFETY AND QUALITY 14 24 NATIONAL DIRECTORATE FOR PLANT PROTECTION 0 0 NATIONAL DIRECTORATE FOR ANIMAL HEALTH 18 25 NATIONAL DIRECTORATE FOR AGROCHEMICALS, VETERINARY PRODUCTS AND FEED 8 12 DIRECTORATE-GENERAL FOR LABORATORIES AND TECHNICAL CONTROL 20 38 REGIONAL CENTER BUENOS AIRES NORTH 63 50 REGIONAL CENTER BUENOS AIRES SOUTH 58 68 REGIONAL CENTER CHACO-FORMOSA 21 33 20
REGIONAL CENTER CORDOBA 36 24 REGIONAL CENTER CORRIENTES-MISIONES 25 33 REGIONAL CENTER CUYO 17 5 REGIONAL CENTER ENTRE RIOS 25 25 REGIONAL CENTER LA PAMPA-SAN LUIS 16 26 REGIONAL CENTER METROPOLITAN 103 64 REGIONAL CENTER NOA NORTH 14 11 REGIONAL CENTER NOA SOUTH 14 8 REGIONAL CENTER PATAGONIA NORTH 11 17 REGIONAL CENTER PATAGONIA SOUTH 18 30 REGIONAL CENTER SANTA FE 48 44 TOTAL 538 545 TOTAL 1083 Financial and budgetary information All information related to SENASA s finances and budget, both at central and regional levels, is detailed by financial year in the following link: http://www.senasa.gov.ar/administracion/presupuestos-yfinanzas Internal training and updating programs for staff members Education The degree in Veterinary Sciences aims to prepare professionals to be in charge of caring after and studying the life of animals in order to improve the life quality of species and to contribute to human welfare. The course duration to obtain said degree ranges between 6 and 7 years. Veterinarians are professionals committed to the preservation and welfare of animals and nature and, simultaneously, to their healthy coexistence with humans. They may access the following specializations after obtaining their bachelor degree: PhD in Veterinary Sciences, Master Degree in Animal Health, Veterinary Clinical Cardiology, Surgery in Small Animals, Equestrian Medicine, and Laboratory Diagnosis for Veterinary Infectious Diseases, among other options. 21
Veterinarians are prepared to deal with clinical issues affecting large and small animals, and to diagnose and treat diseases. They can predict animal behavior and are trained to control and to intervene in conventional and non-conventional animal husbandry. In addition, veterinarians control food of animal and plant origin in pursuit of environmental hygiene and sanitation, and fight against zoonoses. They also intervene in the exploitation of natural resources, in animal commercialization and consumption, and in the possession of domestic animals. Graduated veterinarians perform tasks related to preventive medicine and public health, especially regarding the prevention and control of epidemiological diseases that affect both animals and humans. They are in charge of disseminating preventive campaigns and information, and of promoting vaccine application and prophylaxis. Some subjects of the Veterinary Medicine course in Argentina include: Comparative Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, Genetics, Parasitology, General Pathology and Pathological Anatomy, Animal Science, Nutrition, Surgery, Swine Husbandry, Obstetrics and Reproduction, Public Health and Epidemiology, among others. The complete curricula may be consulted on the websites of Argentine universities. In Argentina, courses are lectured on campus only; no online alternative is available. Application requirements for such course include the completion of secondary school. Training A Training and Development System intended for the staff of the Service is established within the framework of SENASA Collective Agreement for Sectorial Work (Decree No. 40 of January 25, 2007). The aim of said system is to update and improve working skills required for the proper functioning of the Service. Said Training and Development System is developed after identifying training requirements in all different SENASA areas and by taking into account all training suggestions made by each of them. The aim is to describe, promote, ensure and provide training courses planned and designed following quality criteria and intended to continuously improve the following: The performance of the Organizational Units; Staff performance in achieving their management objectives; The provision of goods and services to citizens. The annual training program offers cross-disciplinary and specific training courses on food safety, public health and standard requirements for the processing and hygiene, safety and quality 22
certification of raw materials, products, by-products and derivatives of animal and plant origin. Other training courses are also offered for the prevention, control and eradication of animal diseases with the purpose of planning, scheduling, coordinating and controlling the management of plans and programs intended for animal identification, traceability and welfare. Penalties Chapter V of SENASA s Act No. 27 233 sets forth the sanctions to be imposed on those who violate the provisions of the act declaring the animal health heritage as a public commodity, and lays down the responsibilities of the various sectors for its care: SECTION 14 Violations to the standards applied by the National Service for Agri-Food Health and Quality shall be punished with the following penalties, which replace those provided for in the pertinent legislation: a) Public or private warning. b) Fine of up to ten million Argentine pesos (AR$ 10,000,000). c) Suspension of up to one (1) year or cancellation of registration from the pertinent registries. d) Temporary or final closure of the holding. e) Seizure of products, by-products and/or elements associated to the committed offense. The listed penalties shall be applied separately or jointly based on the severity of the offense, the damage caused, and the background of the offender, regardless of the preventive measures established by this Service and pursuant to the applicable legislation. When pre-emptive suspension of a holding is ordered, it shall not exceed ninety (90) working days, unless duly grounded motives prove the extension of said period. For the purposes of implementing health, control, verification and supervision measures, both preventive and arising from procedures for violation of the applicable standards, the staff in charge may seek the aid of law enforcement authorities and request search warrants from competent judges in order to ensure an adequate compliance with their duties. SECTION 15 The amount of fines can be annually adjusted pursuant to the live kilogram value of the 23
heifer category at Liniers market, or whichever value replaces it, taking the highest value of the month of March of each year as reference, which shall be applied as from the month of September of that same year. The index of retail price evolution at general level, provided by the national statistics body, shall be applied to fines imposed and not paid on due time between the date when the fine should have been paid and the date when said payment was made. SECTION 16 Penalties shall be applied by the President of the National Service for Agri-Food Health and Quality, or by the officer to whom this power is conferred, prior to the procedure ensuring the right of the accused to a defense, pursuant to the Act on Administrative Procedures (act 19 549). Legal action to apply penalties shall prescribe after five (5) years, as from the date the offense was committed. The statute of limitation for the penalties applied shall be of three (3) years, as from the date when the ruling imposing said penalties becomes final. SECTION 17 The statutes of limitation established in the previous section shall be interrupted when a new offense is committed, and due to any administrative or legal act that may initiate a procedure regarding the application of a penalty or the collection of the payment arising from said cause. 24