G/AG/N/CRI/67  
 
17 October  2018 
(18-6481) Page: 1/6 
Committee on Agriculture  Original:  Spanish  
 
 
NOTIFICATION  
The following submission, dated 15 October 2018, is being circulated at the request of the delegation 
of Costa Rica. The notification concerns domestic support commitments (Table DS:1  and the 
relevant Supporting Tables) for the calendar year 2017 . 
 
_______________  
 
 
The only domestic support measures provid ed by Costa Rica in 2017 are those reported in Supporting 
Table DS:1 (Green Box) below .  
  G/AG/N/CRI/67  
 
- 2 - Table  DS.1  
DOMESTIC SUPPORT : COSTA RICA  
REPORTING PERIOD : CALENDAR YEAR  2017 
Current Total Aggregate Measurement of Support  
Total AMS commitment level  Currency   Current total AMS  
(from Section I of Part IV of the Schedule ) (from Section I of Part IV of the Schedule ) (from attached Supporting Tables ) 
1 2 3 
15,945 USD thousand1 0 
 
1. Average exchange rate for  2017: CRC 568.73 to US D 1 (Source: Central Bank of Costa Rica) .  
  G/AG/N/CRI/67  
 
- 3 - Supporting Table DS:1  
DOMESTIC SUPPORT : COSTA RICA  
REPORTING PERIOD : CALENDAR YEAR  2017  
Measures Exempt from the Reduction Commitment  – "Green Box " 
Measure type  Name and description of measure with  
reference to criteria in Annex 2  Monetary value  
 
USD thousand1 Data source  Note 
1 2 3 4  
2. General services      
2 (a) Research  Research by the  National Institute for Agricultural Innovation and 
Technology Transfer (INTA): Contribut ion to the development of 
Costa  Rica's agricultural sector through research, innovation and 
technology transfer programmes aimed at creating competitive production 
systems and achieving food security while accommodating environmental 
concerns, by providing services and products that meet technological needs 
and improve the quality of life of the Costa Rican population.  7,164. 14 National Institute for 
Agricultural 
Innovation and 
Technology Transfer  
(INTA)   
Research, conservation and exploitation of water resources: Research, 
control and monitoring of water resources so as to prevent any 
deterioration and minimize the effects of exploitation by preserving these 
resources in quantitative and qualitative terms. Supply of basic information 
and collection of data for studies on water resources throughout the 
country.  604.63 National 
Groundwater, 
Irrigation and 
Drainage Service 
(SENARA)   
Subtotal  7,768. 77   
2 (b) Pest and disease control  Pest and disease control programme: General programmes implemented 
by the State Phytosanitary Service to protect the country's agricultural 
heritage from economic and quarantine pests, to protect human health and 
biodiversity, and to c omply with phytosanitary regulations governing 
domestic and international marketing of plants.  5,330.35 Ministry of Agriculture 
and Livestock (MAG)   
Pest control emergency fund: Funds for the control of quarantine and 
economic pests and diseases presenti ng a threat to the national economy.  0 Ministry of Agriculture 
and Livestock (MAG)   
Animal health programme: General programmes to preserve, protect and 
enhance the health status of the country's livestock through improved 
domestic production, animal health, veterinary public health and 
environmental protection, and the application of domestic and international 
standards for that purpose.  12,850.84 Ministry of Agriculture 
and Livestock (MAG)   
Subtotal  18,181. 19    
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- 4 - Measure type  Name and description of measure with  
reference to criteria in Annex 2  Monetary value  
 
USD thousand1 Data source  Note 
1 2 3 4  
2 (c) Training services  Agricultural  outreach programme: Contribution, through the provision of 
effective technical assistance and training, to the maintenance of food 
security and the development of the agricultural sector and the rural 
environment.  21,291.35 Ministry of Agriculture 
and Liv estock (MAG)   
Agrifood quality and safety services (Standards and Certification 
Department, Agricultural Quality Directorate, National Production Council): 
Training in food quality and safety assurance, food quality and safety 
auditing and inspection, occupational hygiene and health, and corporate 
social responsibility.  289.32 National Production 
Council (CNP)  (2) 
Laboratory services and technical regulation advisory services (Laboratory 
Department, Agricultural Quality Directorate, National Productio n Council): 
Training for agricultural producers and engineers concerning technical 
regulations governing the staple grain and horticultural product quality 
control system. Training in the monitoring of rice and bean processing 
plants in conjunction with ri ce growers (CONARROZ).  233.05 National Production 
Council (CNP)  (2) 
Post-harvest services (Post -Harvest Department, National Production 
Council): Training for groups of producers and technical personnel working 
for organizations or the State concerning post-harvest physiology 
principles, activities and damage and defects in relation to fruit and 
vegetable production intended both for export and the local market. 
Training for agricultural fair officials.  302.81 National Production 
Council (CNP)  (2) 
Training services provided by the National Training Institute: Training and 
advisory activities aimed at the agricultural sector and focusing on plant 
and animal husbandry, forestry, the environment, agricultural 
mechanization, soil and water technology, and b usiness management.  4,134.95 National Training 
Institute (INA)   
Subtotal  26,251. 48   
2 (d) Extension and advisory services  Programme for agro -industrial development and modernization and greater 
value added: Advisory services, technical assistance and training for 
structured groups of small and med ium-sized agricultural and 
agro-industrial producers in areas such as food technology, hygienic 
handling of products and food management, good manufacturing practices, 
hazard analysis and critical control poin ts (HACCP), agribusiness 
management, support for the design and monitoring of civil engineering 
work for agribusiness, evaluation of agro -industrial processes, plant and 
production line distribution, land valuation, and product analysis and 
development.  443.7 National Production 
Council (CNP)  (2) 
Price and market information and extension services: Compilation, analysis 
and dissemination of market -related information in the form of information 
products, including information on goods such as staple grains  and 
horticultural products. Guidance for organizations in analysing, interpreting 
and making proper use of information.  428.86 National Production 
Council (CNP)  (2) 
Costa Rican agricultural sector information system (INFOAGRO): 
Information and communication system for the agricultural sector that 
facilitates access to data and the generation of knowledge in order to 
improve agricultural competitiveness.  421.47 Executive Secretariat 
for Sectoral Planning 
in Agriculture (SEPSA)   
Subtotal  1,294. 03    
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- 5 - Measure type  Name and description of measure with  
reference to criteria in Annex 2  Monetary value  
 
USD thousand1 Data source  Note 
1 2 3 4  
2 (e ) Inspection services  Inspection and analysis for food security purposes (Laboratory Department, 
Agricultural Quality Directorate, National Production Council): Service 
provided mainly in natural disaster situations when the country requires an 
analysis of products in processing plants, together with border inspections, 
in the context of the adoption of food quality and safety measures in order 
to safeguard national food security.  0 National Production 
Council (CNP)  (2) 
Subtotal     
2 (f) Marketing and promotion services  Marketing and market development programme (Marketing Department, 
Marketing and Agribusiness Directorate, National Production Council): 
Support for small and medium -sized agricultural producers in the 
marketing of fresh pro duce and processed products. The service aims inter 
alia to facilitate contacts with potential buyers, the development of 
marketing plans, advisory services on export procedures and logistics, and 
the search for and identification and adaptation of differe ntiated quality 
labels.  528.57 National Production 
Council (CNP)  (2) 
Subtotal  528.57   
2 (g) Infrastructural services  Hydro -agricultural infrastructure programme at district level and in small 
irrigation and drainage areas: Preliminary feasibility studies for and 
development of hydro -agricultural projects, such as the Arenal -Tempisque 
project and small irrigation and drainage areas throughout the country.  5,746.34 National 
Groundwater, 
Irrigation and 
Drainage Service 
(SENARA)   
Agro-industrial deve lopment programme involving irrigation and drainage 
works: Support for the operation and maintenance of hydro -agricultural 
projects at national level, in districts under the responsibility of the 
National Groundwater, Irrigation and Drainage Service (SENAR A) and in 
the framework of the national irrigation and drainage programme for small 
areas. Technical assistance is provided for users of hydro -agricultural 
projects involving the transfer of water resource management technology 
at farm level.  8,987.04 National 
Groundwater, 
Irrigation and 
Drainage Service 
(SENARA)   
Subtotal  14,733. 38   
2 (h) Other general services  Watershed management programme: The measure aims to develop field 
activities and projects in several of the country's watersheds in order to 
ensure sustainable use of natural, social and economic resources through 
an integrated and participatory approach. It consists of environmental 
education programmes and projects and training and advisory services for 
producers and includes training and ext ension and advisory services.  366.38 Costa Rican Electricity 
Institute (ICE)   
Subtotal  366.38    
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- 6 - Measure type  Name and description of measure with  
reference to criteria in Annex 2  Monetary value  
 
USD thousand1 Data source  Note 
1 2 3 4  
12. Environmental programmes  Payment for environmental services in agroforestry systems: This 
programme provides economic compensation for land -owning farmers 
growing multi -purpose forest plantations in close combination with annual 
or perennial crops and/or animal husbandry, as an effective means of 
maintaining, rehabilitating and developing forest ecosystems.  630.6 National Forestry 
Financing Fund 
(FONAFIFO)   
Recognition of the environmental benefits of Sustainable Agricultural 
Production Promotion Programme (PFPAS) projects: Financial incentive 
granted to PFPAS projects for the environmental benefits generated.  48.89 Ministry of Agriculture 
and Livestock (MAG)   
Recognition of the environmental benefits of organic farming by micro, 
small and medium -sized organic producers: Financial incentive granted to 
micro, small and medium -sized organic producers for the environmental 
benefits resulting from  their activities.  599.23 Ministry of Agriculture 
and Livestock (MAG)   
Subtotal  1,278. 72   
13. Regional assistance programmes  Establishment of settlements: Programme covering all procedures required 
to set up rural settlements, with a view to helping farming families 
establish themselves on the land they have purchased and providing them 
with legal evidence of ownership and hence right of occupancy. Monitoring 
and follow -up by the INDER of agricultural activities in the settlements.  17,733.28 Rural Dev elopment 
Institute (INDER)   
Settlement development services: Programme covering the processes 
necessary to promote and strengthen the development of settlements and 
the families' integration in the rural environment.  25,049.96 Rural Development 
Institute  (INDER)   
Rural development programme: Advisory, training and information services 
for local governments, rural organizations and the rural population in 
general. These rural development measures aim to build up the rural 
population's organizational, man agement and negotiating capacity.  1,564.89 Ministry of Agriculture 
and Livestock (MAG)   
Subtotal  44,348. 13   
Total Green Box  114,750. 65   
 
1. Average exchange rate for  2017: CRC 568.73 to US D 1 (Source: Central Bank of Costa Rica) . 
 
(2) Preliminary data. 
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