The region of Latin America and the Caribbean, made up of 46 countries, encompasses an immense variety of species of wild flora and fauna. A fundamental part of the economy of most of these countries is agriculture.  The share of the agricultural sector in the gross domestic product (GDP) ranges between 16 and 40 percent.  Among the main crops that are important for international trade are tropical and subtropical fruits and vegetables.

The ability to benefit economically from marketing irradiated products depends on countries having a reasonable and predictable regulatory framework based on multilateral harmonization.  Less than a dozen countries in the region have regulations that allow the use of food irradiation technology for consumption and commerce. 

A guideline has been developed to help countries maximize the potential of irradiation as a pest risk management strategy to facilitate safe trade.  Key aspects of this guide are identified and explained with an emphasis on expanding the use of PI to open new markets through its application as a new treatment or an alternative to traditional treatments. The objective is to facilitate the development of an import or export program using irradiation as a phytosanitary measure and support countries interested in using irradiation as a pest risk management strategy.

The Guideline addresses the regulatory framework described in the World Trade Organization (WTO) Agreement on the application of Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measues (SPS Agreement) and the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC) which specifically covers phytosanitary treatments with its associated International Standards for Phytosanitary Measures (ISPMs).