The United States decided to suspend, until further notice, the avocado import from Michoacan after an officer from the United States Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS-USDA) was threatened by phone.
Through a statement, the Secretary of Agriculture and Rural Development indicated that the APHIS-USDA reported that, currently, an investigation is being carried out to assess the threat and determine mitigation measures necessary to guarantee the physical integrity of its personnel who work in Michoacán.
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He added that APHIS personnel and representatives of the Association of Producers and Packers Exporters of Avocado of Mexico (APEAM) met this Saturday with local and state police to discuss the issue.
Avocado producers export more than 135 thousand tons
In the last six weeks, avocado producers from Michoacán have exported to the United States more than 135 thousand tons of avocadothrough more than five thousand shipments of fresh fruit, detailed the agency.
On the other hand, he recalled that on December 6, 2021, health authorities of both countries signed the Systems Approach Work Plan for the importation of fresh Hass avocado from Mexico to that country.
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For this reason, Senasica holds working meetings with producers and packers from Jalisco to publicize and implement the phytosanitary, safety and quality requirements established by the aforementioned PT.
He pointed out that the visits to the avocado Production Units will soon begin to corroborate their phytosanitary status in order for them to be certified by APHIS-USDA in coordination with Senasica, with which it is expected that the first avocado exports from Jalisco will be make this 2022.
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Activate shielding and security protocols
The Association of Producers and Packers Exporters of Avocado of Mexico (APEAM) said in another statement that “shielding and security protocols had been activated to safeguard the physical integrity” of the officials and facilities of the United States Department of Agriculture.
According to the work plan for the export of Hass avocado from Mexico to the United States, personnel from the US health agency inspect the avocado to be exported and, once authorized, it is moved to the packaging.
In the last six weeks, producers from Michoacán exported more than 135,000 tons of avocado to the United States, according to figures from Mexican authorities. (With information from Archyde.com)