US will ‘gradually’ resume avocado inspections in conflictive Mexican state, ambassador says

U.S. Ambassador Ken Salazar announced resuming avocado and mango inspections in Michoacan after a recent assault on inspectors. Two USDA employees were assaulted in Michoacan, leading to the U.S. suspending inspections in Mexico’s major avocado-producing state.

Inspections were paused for a week following the attacks, causing an avocado slowdown in Mexico. Salazar said that more work needs to be done to protect the safety of the inspectors.

“It is still necessary to guarantee inspectors’ security before full operations resume,” Salazar said.