With regard to the information published by the New York Times that refers to the Chilean salmon industry, the Chilean American Chamber of Commerce (AmCham) wishes to state that it values the interest of American media in Chilean development issues and pays regard to their comments. However, on this occasion, AmCham considers that the account given was biased and erroneous - if not manifestly false - and that this affects both Chile's salmon sector and its export industry.

The salmon industry in Chile has gone through impressive development in less than 30 years, becoming one of the leading countries in this industry in the world. It built its position on high levels of efficiency, security, innovation capacity, competitiveness and quality. This explains how Chile has successfully entered the US market, one which stands out because of the demanding control mechanisms of authorities and of consumers.

Chile's economic growth is based principally on foreign trade, for which it has created a serious and professional institutional framework that ensures goods are exported in accordance with the requirements of Chilean law and those of the countries of destination. The  production standards are equally -if not more strict- than those of developed countries; moreover, the export industry is regulated - and rigorously inspected - by different agencies of the Chilean government that are internationally acknowledged for their high degree of thoroughness. In the case of the United States, Chile's private export sector and public entities have worked in close contact and collaboration with the FDA and similar organizations.

Chile exports almost 2,000 products to the US. More than 40% of the salmon consumed in the US is from Chile. This extraordinary positioning could not have been reached if there were any shadow of a doubt on the salmon production process. If there were any practice that violated these principles - which has not been proved in this particular case - they would be isolated incidents that in no way could be attributed to the whole sector.

The FTA with the US that took effect in 2004 was, similarly, confirmation that Chile fulfilled the necessary conditions to be a good commercial partner of the US, due to, among other reasons, standards that allow competitive trade and high quality products to be guaranteed.

AmCham supports all efforts aimed at strengthening the trade relation between Chile and the US, and for that reason is concerned by the efforts to obstruct the access to the US market of a product that meets the required quality, hygiene and security standards. The high competitiveness and innovation capacity of this industry has allowed it to overcome previous crises successfully and quickly. We are sure that this will be the case on this occasion.

Santiago, April 2, 2008

With regard to the information published by the New York Times that refers to the Chilean salmon industry, the Chilean American Chamber of Commerce (AmCham) wishes to state that it values the interest of American media in Chilean development issues and pays regard to their comments. However, on this occasion, AmCham considers that the account given was biased and erroneous - if not manifestly false - and that this affects both Chile's salmon sector and its export industry.

The salmon industry in Chile has gone through impressive development in less than 30 years, becoming one of the leading countries in this industry in the world. It built its position on high levels of efficiency, security, innovation capacity, competitiveness and quality. This explains how Chile has successfully entered the US market, one which stands out because of the demanding control mechanisms of authorities and of consumers.

Chile's economic growth is based principally on foreign trade, for which it has created a serious and professional institutional framework that ensures goods are exported in accordance with the requirements of Chilean law and those of the countries of destination. The  production standards are equally -if not more strict- than those of developed countries; moreover, the export industry is regulated - and rigorously inspected - by different agencies of the Chilean government that are internationally acknowledged for their high degree of thoroughness. In the case of the United States, Chile's private export sector and public entities have worked in close contact and collaboration with the FDA and similar organizations.

Chile exports almost 2,000 products to the US. More than 40% of the salmon consumed in the US is from Chile. This extraordinary positioning could not have been reached if there were any shadow of a doubt on the salmon production process. If there were any practice that violated these principles - which has not been proved in this particular case - they would be isolated incidents that in no way could be attributed to the whole sector.

The FTA with the US that took effect in 2004 was, similarly, confirmation that Chile fulfilled the necessary conditions to be a good commercial partner of the US, due to, among other reasons, standards that allow competitive trade and high quality products to be guaranteed.

AmCham supports all efforts aimed at strengthening the trade relation between Chile and the US, and for that reason is concerned by the efforts to obstruct the access to the US market of a product that meets the required quality, hygiene and security standards. The high competitiveness and innovation capacity of this industry has allowed it to overcome previous crises successfully and quickly. We are sure that this will be the case on this occasion.

Santiago, April 2, 2008