Mexico City.- The suspension of the import of Mexican avocado is due to insecurity and not for phytosanitary reasons, so it will be reactivated until this problem is resolved, reported the United States Ambassador to Mexico, Ken Salazar.
In recent days, two inspectors from the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) were attacked and detained while carrying out their work, which led to the suspension of inspections throughout the State.
“At the United States Embassy, our top priority is to protect our staff throughout the country,” Salazar said in a statement.
“To ensure the safety of our agricultural inspection teams, APHIS has suspended inspections of avocados and mangoes in Michoacán until these safety issues have been resolved.”
The suspension only affects the product of the State of Michoacán, where two employees of APHIS, of the United States Department of Agriculture, were attacked and detained.
“This determination is based on the existing concern for the safety of personnel in Michoacán, not phytosanitary concerns,” he said.
The pause, he clarified, does not affect other Mexican states, where APHIS inspections continue.
“This action does not block all exports of avocados or mangoes to the United States, nor does it stop products currently in transit,” he assured.
Next week, he reported, he will travel to Michoacán to meet with Governor Alfredo Ramírez Bedolla and the Association of Producers and Export Packers of Mexico (APEAN) to address the issue of security.
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