USSEC recently conducted a seminar in Panama covering the Free Trade Agreement with the United States and the effect of free trade on Panamanian swine production.  USSEC consultants Carlos Campabadal and Alberto Celis together with Panamanian economist Francisco Barrantes facilitated this event, which was organized in conjunction with the Panamanian Swine Producers Association and Multibank.  Approximately 120 people participated in the seminar, 100 of whom were swine producers.

The meeting consisted of three conferences.  The first, given by Mr. Barrantes, presented information regarding the trade agreement between the U.S. and Panama and its effect on swine production due to the importation of pork.  USSEC Animal Consultant Alberto Celis facilitated the second conference, which discussed how Mexican pork producers have withstood the Free Trade Agreement between the U.S., Canada and Mexico.  The final conference, titled “Factors Affecting the Productivity of a Swine Farm,” was presented by USSEC consultant Carlos Campabadal.  Mr. Campabadal discussed how the necessary improvement of Panamanian swine nutrition and management programs directly relates to how well Panamanian swine producers can compete with countries already running more efficient programs.  The importance of this seminar was underscored by the attendance of the Sub-Secretary of Agriculture, the Animal Health Director and the Panamanian chief negotiator of the Free Trade Agreement.