The U.S. government has announced that inspections of avocados and mangoes in the Mexican state of Michoacan will gradually resume following a recent suspension. The decision comes after two USDA employees were assaulted and temporarily held by assailants in Michoacan, prompting the U.S. to halt inspections in Mexico's largest avocado-producing state.
U.S. Ambassador Ken Salazar stated that the Agriculture Department inspectors will begin to return to packing plants in Michoacan, but emphasized the need to ensure their security before full operations can resume. The inspectors, who work for the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), play a crucial role in preventing the spread of diseases that could harm U.S. crops.
