At its Best: The Mexico-US Agri-Food Relationship

The political, commercial, and security relationship between Mexico and the United States has always been complex and, at times, challenging, but in sectors like agri-food, it has stood out by benefiting both nations.

In June, following an attack on two officials from the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, the United States announced the suspension of avocado and mango inspections in Michoacán, temporarily halting exports.

Although the issue stemmed from regional insecurity and not health concerns, the Mexican Secretary of Agriculture and Rural Development, Víctor Villalobos Arámbula, sought a solution with the U.S. Ambassador to Mexico, Ken Salazar, and the Governor of Michoacán, Alfredo Ramírez Bedolla, to prevent further harm to local producers.

This industry's importance lies in the fact that over the past decade, Mexico exported approximately 11 million tons of avocado and 4 million tons of mango to the U.S., creating jobs, foreign currency, and better income for those involved in the supply chain.

As a result, the federal official proposed that the U.S. authorities allow Mexican inspections to prevent future suspensions of trade. Mexico has the personnel and technical capacity to take on these tasks.

In other words, progressively replacing U.S. Department of Agriculture inspectors with Mexican staff, as the country has the scientific and technical conditions to carry out these functions.

The good news is that it was announced yesterday that both governments agreed to transfer orchard sampling and certification activities to personnel from Mexico’s Department of Agriculture.

This demonstrates that Mexico’s avocado producers, packers, and exporters have successfully carried out field activities for pest detection of quarantine interest, and when necessary, for pest control.

Likewise, with this transfer of responsibilities, both health agencies are strengthening cooperation ties to continue advancing the bilateral agenda.

This reflects the best moment for agri-food trade between Mexico and the United States, bolstered in recent years by the excellent relationship between the heads of Agriculture from both countries and the more active role taken by key players, such as the Michoacán government, to ensure the necessary conditions for producers to work and consumers to be satisfied.

The Mexican government has advanced this relationship, as evidenced by the increase in national exports through agile and complementary trade and bilateral cooperation on health and environmental issues, among others.

It will be up to future national authorities to value and maintain this relationship, especially considering the new government that will emerge from the upcoming November elections and the new bilateral policies the U.S. will implement toward our country.

BY MARIANA OTERO BRIZ
ONTRIBUTOR
@BRIZCOCHO

Contenido publicado originalmente en El Heraldo de México