Mexico and US Officials Reach Agreement on Security Plan for Avocado Inspectors – By Reuters

By Cassandra Garrison and Lizbeth Diaz

Mexico City – Officials from Mexico and the United States have reached an agreement on new security measures to protect U.S. health safety inspectors overseeing avocado and mango inspections. This development follows an incident earlier this month that led to the suspension of inspections, as reported by the governor of Mexico’s largest avocado-producing state.

Avocados, a key export for Mexico, generate billions of dollars annually, with demand in the U.S. continuing to rise in recent years.

U.S. inspections of these fruits were halted shortly after a security incident occurred in Michoacan, the leading avocado-growing region in Mexico. This disruption put exports to the U.S. at risk.

Following discussions, Michoacan Governor Alfredo Ramirez and the U.S. Ambassador to Mexico, Ken Salazar, informed the media that both nations would also work together to combat illegal deforestation and address environmental certification for agricultural products and labor issues.

Salazar emphasized, "The Mexican government’s plan is to collaborate with us to ensure the safety of our employees so they can effectively perform their duties."

However, officials did not disclose specific methods for enforcing the new security measures.

Mexican Agriculture Minister Victor Villalobos also attended the meeting, suggesting that Mexican inspectors could potentially replace U.S. personnel in future inspections.

For years, Michoacan has faced challenges with extortion schemes from powerful organized crime groups looking to exploit the lucrative agricultural sector.

Senior Mexican officials indicated that a June 15 incident involving U.S. staff arose from a protest by local police that obstructed the inspectors from passing. Ramirez previously stated that the inspectors were "improperly detained."

The new security initiative will include collaboration with Mexico’s main avocado exporters association, APEAM.

APEAM, however, chose not to comment on the security plan.

On Friday, Salazar announced that inspections are gradually resuming, though several significant issues remain unresolved.