Cofepris fired 11 officials who leaked pesticide information to private companies

There Federal Commission for Protection against Health Risks (cofepris) indicated that he had fired 11 officials for “collusion with the regulated sector”.

In a statement, the cofepris explained that with the Secretary of the Navyremoved from their posts 11 officials responsible for analyzing possible health risks as part of the preparation Official Mexican Standards and in substances, as well as products of great importance, such as pesticides.

“As a result of permanent intelligence work, evidence of destruction of information (hard drives), leaks of draft standards changes, and email exchanges where a former senior official was reported periodically on operational actions and which have been found. linked to Cofepris authorisations”, indicated the Commission.

Without saying names, the agency dependent on the Health Secretarypointed out that the former official was executive director of Evidence of risks in Cofeprisand currently works as the owner of a business that handles procedures for health-related matters.

There cofepris added that with the dismissal of those allegedly involved, the relevant complaints have also been filed with the Internal control body (OIC) for the corresponding investigations for the alleged administrative responsibilities.

“It will be the judicial authority that will determine the corresponding criminal action on the basis of solid evidence collected by this authority, in collaboration with the Secretary of the Navy“, a point.

According to World Health Organization (SGD), “pesticides are used to protect crops against insects, weeds, fungi and other pests: they are potentially toxic to humans and can have acute and chronic effects on human health, depending on the quantity and the form of exposure.

There SGD He explained that many of these chemicals have been banned for agricultural use in developed countries, but are still used in many developing countries.

But he also added that these chemicals play an important role in food production because they protect or increase yields, and can increase the number of times a year a crop can be grown on the same land.

There Federal Commission for Protection against Health Risks added that the work of intelligence centerwhich operates jointly with Semar, took office on August 3, 2022 and “aims to dismantle the mechanisms of corruption that have been rampant for more than 20 years and consolidate the operating order in the institution”.

“Among the actions carried out are the investigation and denunciation of old practices where private interests predominated, poor administrative management, discretion in the processes and the functioning of managers or coyotes, which have impacted the entry, the award and evaluation of procedures,” the statement said. said.

The body of Health Secretary reported to prevent corruption within the cofepris develops various actions, such as “direct and transparent communication with industry and productive sectors across the New Regulated Industry Liaison Strategyand the National Good Governance Strategy; the latter, with the Public Service Secretary (SFP)”.

He also explained that he is making progress in digitalization and administrative simplification, modifying procedures to “trace the path of transparency and honesty in the attention to the regulated industry, with strict vigilance and respect of the health regulatory framework”.

being an institution of national securitysay it cofepriscarried out anti-corruption actions in coordination with the Secretary of the Navy, Secretary of Health and with the Mexico City Citizen Security SecretariatTherefore, it will continue to present the corresponding complaints to the competent authorities.