The US government will gradually reinstate inspections of avocado and mango packing plants in Michoacán, Mexico, following a suspension due to safety concerns for its inspectors. US Ambassador to Mexico, Ken Salazar, has announced that while the return of the inspectors from the US Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is a positive development, considerable work remains to ensure their complete safety before they can fully resume operations. The suspension came after two APHIS inspectors were detained by local residents during a protest. The halt in inspections has significantly affected the export of avocados, which is a major economic driver for the region, generating about $3.8 billion annually and leaving dozens without a job while also raising concerns about the integrity of the export process and the potential for disease that could affect US crops. The Mexican government has promised to provide protection for the inspectors, and the US Embassy is set to meet with Mexican authorities on Monday to further discuss the issue. The recent aggressions against the inspectors highlight the complex security challenges in Michoacán, where drug gangs have been known to threaten avocado growers and attempt to smuggle avocados from states not approved for export.
Key points
- US agricultural inspections in Michoacán, Mexico, to resume gradually after a security-related suspension.
- The safety of inspectors remains a priority amid concerns of violence from local drug gangs.
- Economic impact significant due to Michoacán’s role as a major exporter of avocados and mangoes to the US.
