USDA 

~ AUG - q 2005 

Dnn•d statoe . Dr. Jorge Amaya Dep•rtrnent of 

AeNeam,n. . President 

EI Servicio Nacional de Sanidad y Calidad Agroalimentaria (SENASA) Antrnal and Plant 

Heatth Inspedlon Paseo Coldn 367; 9° Piso 

Se

""0B Buenos Aires, Argentina 

Washirplon, DC Dear Dr. Amaya: 20250 

I greatly appreciate the hospitality and cooperation you and your staffprovided the 

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service's (APHIS) site visit team on its recent trip to 

Argentina. 

In our July 7, 2005, letter we indicated that we would request additional information 

about the impact of the recent strike by SENASA personnel. We understand that a large 

percentage of SENASA personnel participated in the strike, which might have reduced 

the effectiveness of the veterinary infrastructure. 

Please provide comments and information related to the following issues and questions: 

• The history of strikes (including dates and duration) against SENASA during the 

past 3 years. Did any strike affect the provision of emergency services? If so, 

what functions and services were affected and for how long? 

• Provisions made for reporting animal diseases (e.g., emergency telephone 

numbers, electronic notifications) in the event of a strike. Are personnel available 

during strikes to receive reports of outbreaks and take appropriate action if an 

outbreak occurs? 

• Individuals or the types of work conducted by the individuals who participated in 

the 2005 strikes. What pariicular activities were affected by the strikes end how 

were they affected? SENASA officials indicated during the site visit that the 

strikes affected trade, but not animal health. Please explain that statement. 

• During the visit, you indicated that "essential services" continued during the 2005 

strikes. Please provide the definition of "essential services." Please indicate the 

number of veterinarians, technicians, and clerical staff that were available at 

headquariers, field offices, border inspection posts, slaughterhouses, livestock 

markets, and other relevant locations to conduct these services during the weeks 

in which the strikes occurred. Please also provide the same personnel information 

for the week of May 30, 2005, so we make a comparison. 

• Volume of animal traffic (e.g., movement permits issued, animals sold in 

markets) during the week of the strikes (April and May 2005) in comparison to 

the week of May 30, 2005. 

~ Sebpuertlrp Amencan AqrlcuPUre 

Federol Relay Service 

' APHIS Ls an apency ol USDA'e Markeana and R•pUabry Pruprann (VdiCe/rTYIASCIIISpanilh) 

An Equal Oppatuniry Provider and Enpbyer 1-800-877•8339 
Dr. Amaya 

Information for the border posts listed below during the weeks of the strikes and 

the week of June 3, 2005, about (1) volume of traffic by type (e.g., passengers, 

shipments of animals or animal products); (2) number of animals or amount of . 

animal product material confiscated or refused; and (3) number of SENASA . 

inspectors on duty. .. 

o Province of Salta: 

o Salvador Maza 

o Aguas Blanca 

o Province of Entre Rios: 

• Puerto Internacional Salto Grande Formosa 

• Puerto Intemacional San Ignacio de Loyola, Clorinda Jujuy 

• Puerto International Ingeniero Guzman, La Quiaca Corrientes 

• Puerto Intemacional Getulio Vargas, Paso de los libres 

In addition, please provide information on your foot and mouth disease (FMD) awareness efforts 

for producers, farm personnel, and private veterinarians in thc regions located in the North, 

North-West, and North- East regions of Argentina. Please be advised we may also request 

additional clarifying infotmation as we continue to evaluate your FMD status 

Thank you again for your patience and cooperation. APHIS appreciates the openness that . 

Argentina has demonstrated, and we look forward to working with you to conclude this process. 

Sincerely, 

~ ~ 

OJohn R. Cliffor 

Deputy Administrator 

Veterinary Services