Plant protection law in Costa Rica

The Plant Protection Law No. 7664, declared of public interest and mandatory application, is established in order to protect plants from damage caused by pests, prevent their introduction and spread, and regulate their management within a framework of sustainable development. The law emphasizes the regulated use of chemical and biological substances in agriculture, seeking to protect both human health and the environment, and seeks to prevent phytosanitary measures from becoming unnecessary obstacles to international trade. Administratively, the law assigns authority and functions to the State Phytosanitary Service, dependent on the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock, which includes the control of phytosanitary quality, the eradication and control of pests, and the regulation of the use of genetically modified organisms. In addition, it establishes the collaboration of various entities for compliance with the law and the acceptance of foreign phytosanitary measures, provided that they comply with the appropriate levels of protection.