Update: Mexico Blocks U.S. Potato Exports
U.S. Potato exports to Mexico have stopped in response to a lawsuit by the Mexican Potato Growers Association against the Mexican government seeking to block a new rule allowing U.S. potato exports to all parts of Mexico, the Ag Information Network reports.
Mexico closed all border crossings to potato exports - so USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service stopped issuing phytosanitary certificates. The National Potato Council and U.S. Potato Board confirmed the border closing on Monday - the same day the lawsuit was filed.
Officials said it’s no surprise the implementation of this rule is facing challenges - and the value of annual fresh potato exports from the U.S. to Mexico could jump from 30-million to 100-million dollars.
The Mexican government had implemented its final rule to allow U.S. fresh potatoes to enter all of Mexico starting May 19, 2014, announced The National Potato Council (NPC) and the United States Potato Board (USPB).
Related article:
