A representative for the US Department of Agriculture told that due to security concerns for US Department of Agriculture employees, the US has suspended safety inspections of avocadoes and mangoes from the western Mexican state of Michoacan.
The spokeswoman said that until the security issue is examined and personnel precautions are put in place, the inspection program will remain suspended.
According to the USDA spokeswoman, exports from Mexico are not prohibited; however, avocados that have not yet undergone inspection will not be shipped until those inspections are conducted again.
The representative went on, “Mangos and avocados that are already in transit are not affected.” According to Reuters, the suspension followed an altercation at a Paracho protest in favor of the local police.
According to Bloomberg, two inspectors were detained against their will during the protest, according to local press sources.
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The suspension occurs almost two years after Michoacan avocado imports were momentarily prohibited by the United States due to a threat received by an American plant safety inspector on his official mobile phone.
The threat was sent to the inspector after he turned down a shipment of avocados because of security concerns.
Following the implementation of certain “measures” meant to ensure the safety of U.S. inspectors, the restriction for 2022 was lifted.
