California avocado growers are expressing concern over a recent decision by the U.S. to transfer pest inspections of Mexican orchards to the Mexican government. Since 1997, inspectors hired by the U.S. Department of Agriculture have been responsible for preventing the import of avocados infected with insects and diseases. However, threats and violence against these inspectors in Mexico have led to the suspension of inspections in the past.
The California Avocado Commission has raised questions about whether Mexico's own inspectors would be able to withstand such pressure. The current inspection process involves inspectors from the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) monitoring Mexican orchards and packing houses to ensure that exported avocados do not carry pests that could harm U.S. crops.
The decision to hand over inspections to Mexican government inspectors has sparked concerns among California growers, who fear that this change may compromise the integrity of the inspection process. The California Avocado Commission has requested specific assurances from APHIS regarding the effectiveness of this new arrangement.
In response to the decision, Mexico's Agriculture Department stated that the U.S. health safety agency is recognizing the commitment of Mexican growers, emphasizing that there have been no sanitary issues in exports over the past 27 years. However, recent incidents, including threats against U.S. inspectors and assaults on USDA employees, have raised doubts about the safety and reliability of the inspection process in Mexico.
In 2022, inspections were halted after a U.S. inspector was threatened in Michoacan, a state known for extortion by drug cartels. The inspector had refused to certify a shipment due to concerns about its integrity. Additionally, two USDA employees were assaulted in Michoacan in June, leading to the suspension of inspections in the state.
With Mexico currently supplying about 80% of U.S. avocado imports, the decision to shift inspection responsibilities has significant implications for both countries. The concerns raised by California avocado growers highlight the importance of maintaining rigorous inspection standards to protect the industry from potential threats and ensure the safety of avocado imports.
