A delegation from the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has highlighted the ‘professionalism’ of the National Animal Health and Quality Service (SENASA).

This opinion has been backed up by the Canadian embassy which stated its approval of meat processing facilities in Argentina.

The tour also visited the headquarters of the regional municipal centre and the port of Buenos Aires where export certification activities could be observed.

Politicians say that foot and mouth disease is under control and that a lack of cases since 2006 shows that the beef industry is set to resume shipments of fresh beef to Canada.

Poultry meat however, has never been shipped to Canada. Argentinians wish to achieve open trading for the first time.

A full report is expected this autumn and follows a rigorous two week tour of poultry and beef processing plants.