Mexico to Assume Avocado Inspections.

California avocado growers are furious this week, their anger directed at a U.S. decision that has thrown the industry into turmoil. The American government, in a move that has left many baffled and outraged, has handed over the responsibility of inspecting Mexican avocado orchards to the Mexican government itself. For decades, U.S. Department of Agriculture inspectors have been the gatekeepers, ensuring that only pest-free avocados make their way across the border. But now, the very inspectors who have stood as a bulwark against potential agricultural devastation are facing a new reality, one that has many fearing for the future of the California avocado industry.

The decision to relinquish control of inspections has been met with a storm of criticism, with California growers voicing their concerns loudly and clearly. The California Avocado Commission, in a pointed open letter to U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack, expressed their deep unease. They point out that the existing inspection process, meticulously crafted over decades, has been a critical safeguard against the introduction of harmful pests from Mexico. These pests, they warn, could wreak havoc on California's avocado industry, potentially causing irreparable damage.

The commission's letter goes on to highlight the inherent risks of handing over inspection duties to the Mexican government. They question whether Mexican inspectors, unlike their U.S. counterparts, would be able to withstand the immense pressure from powerful interests within the Mexican avocado industry. They cite instances where U.S. inspectors have been threatened and even assaulted, forced to compromise their integrity in the face of intimidation. The commission, in a direct challenge to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, demands a clear explanation for this sudden shift in policy, seeking assurances that the new arrangement will be as effective, if not more so, than the tried-and-true system that has served the industry for so long.

The decision, announced last week by Mexico's Agriculture Department, paints a rosy picture of a harmonious partnership, claiming that Mexican growers have a spotless record of exporting pest-free avocados. However, this rosy picture is far from the reality on the ground. In recent years, the U.S. has been forced to suspend avocado imports on multiple occasions due to threats and violence directed at American inspectors. One incident in 2022 saw an inspector targeted with threats against his family, a chilling reminder of the dangers these individuals face. The inspector had refused to certify a shipment, raising concerns about its legitimacy, and the retaliation that followed underscored the deep-seated corruption within the Mexican avocado industry.

The decision to hand over inspections has left many wondering if the U.S. government has adequately considered the potential consequences. With Mexico supplying a vast majority of U.S. avocado imports, the stakes are high. California growers, already facing challenges in meeting domestic demand, are now grappling with the prospect of a weakened regulatory system that could expose their industry to unprecedented risks. The future of the American avocado market hangs precariously in the balance, and the question remains – will the U.S. government address the concerns of its own growers, or will they allow the industry to be compromised in the name of international cooperation?