USDA Lifts Ban on Avocado Exports from Mexico, Following Threat to Inspector
The Department of Agriculture (USDA) has lifted its week-long ban on avocado exports from Mexico. According to USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), Mexican authorities and an avocado growers group provided additional safety measures for inspectors.
APHIS suspended avocado exports from the Mexican state of Michoacán when a U.S. embassy security official confirmed a credible threat a safety inspector received on their official cellphone. The agency reported inspections would resume once the USDA could confirm safe working conditions for federal employees. Michoacán is currently the only Mexican state authorized to export avocados to the United States until an agreement with the state of Jalisco officially begins in June 2022.
“The safety of USDA employees simply doing their jobs is of paramount importance. USDA is appreciative of the positive, collaborative relationship between the United States and Mexico that made resolution of this issue possible in a timely manner,” the agency’s statement noted.
Details of the threat have not yet been made public, but the industry has gained interest in the region as the drug cartels have sought to diversify their income streams.
“The security situation in the state is deteriorating. It's very dangerous due to the organized crime gangs and drug cartels that operate there,” stated Carrie Kahn International Correspondent at NPR and based in Mexico City.
In August 2019, a group of USDA inspectors were threatened at gunpoint with local authorities claiming a gang robbed the truck they were traveling in. In a letter at the time, USDA stated that in case of future security breaches, or demonstrated physical threats to personnel, program operations would be immediately suspended.
In the meantime, APHIS continues to investigate the circumstances of the threat and will work with Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to authorize avocado exports inspected and certified prior to February 11, 2022.
