The Ecuadorean minister of agriculture, farming and fisheries, Staynley Vera, has resigned from his position, according to a report by national publication El Comercio.
The minister is leaving his post apparently at the request of the nation’s president, Rafael Correa, due to his failure to formalise the banana sector, the report said.
President Correa only recently re-iterated his warning that banana suppliers who do not export their fruit under contract would result in their exports being nationalised.
Ex-minister Vera handed in his resignation on the evening of 13 February after returning to Guayaquil, according to the report.
Vera was named minister of agriculture by president Correa on 13 May 2011 and been in the position for just nine months.
Santiago León, minister of production coordination, is reported to have taken on the ex-minister’s duties until a replacement is appointed.
