Calif. avocado growers outraged as US transfers pest inspection duties to Mexico

LAUREN TAYLOR: THE U.S. HAS DECIDED TO TRANSFER PEST INSPECTION DUTIES OF MEXICAN AVOCADOS TO MEXICO. THE DECISION IS IGNITING CONCERNS ABOUT FOOD SAFETY AND INTERNATIONAL TRADE RELATIONS.

THE CALIFORNIA AVOCADO COMMISSION VEHEMENTLY OPPOSES THE MOVE, WARNING IT COULD DEVASTATE THEIR INDUSTRY.

CURRENTLY, WORKERS WITH THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE’S ANIMAL AND PLANT HEALTH INSPECTION SERVICE (APHIS) ARE THE ONES WHO INSPECT MEXICAN AVOCADOS BEFORE THEY COME TO THE U.S. ENSURING THEY DON’T TRANSFER PESTS THAT COULD THREATEN U-S CROPS.

IN A LETTER TO SECRETARY OF AGRICULTURE -TOM VILSACK- THE CALIFORNIA AVOCADO COMMISSION WRITES “THIS ACTION REVERSES THE LONG-ESTABLISHED INSPECTION PROCESS DESIGNED TO PREVENT INVASIONS OF KNOWN PESTS IN MEXICO THAT WOULD DEVASTATE OUR INDUSTRY. THIS PROCESS WAS THE FOUNDATION FOR THE INITIAL DECISION ALLOWING THE IMPORTATION OF AVOCADOS FROM MEXICO INTO THE UNITED STATES.”

HOWEVER, THOSE USDA INSPECTORS HAVE FACED ESCALATING DANGERS IN MEXICO WHILE DOING THEIR JOBS.

IN 2022, INSPECTIONS HALTED AFTER A U.S. INSPECTOR RECEIVED THREATS AGAINST HIMSELF AND HIS FAMILY IN MICHOACAN, WHERE DRUG CARTELS ROUTINELY EXTORT GROWERS.

AND IN JUNE, TWO USDA EMPLOYEES WERE ASSAULTED AND BRIEFLY HELD CAPTIVE IN MICHOACAN.

MEXICO SUPPLIES ABOUT 80% OF U.S. AVOCADO IMPORTS, MAKING THE INSPECTION CHANGE POTENTIALLY IMPACTFUL ON THE MARKET AS U.S. GROWERS CANNOT MEET THE COUNTRY’S ENTIRE DEMAND OR PROVIDE FRUIT YEAR-ROUND, COMPLICATING THE TRADE RELATIONSHIP.

MEXICAN AUTHORITIES WELCOMED THE NEWS SAYING THEY HAVEN’T HAD ANY UNTREATED PET PROBLEMS IN THEIR 27-YEAR-OLD TRACK RECORD.