Mar 21, 2014Mexico issues final rule for cross-border potato trade with U.S.
The federal government of Mexico’s Secretariat of Agriculture published new potato risk mitigation measures regarding the importation of U.S. fresh potatoes. The measures were published in the Diario Oficial de la Federacion.
Among the provisions, the new regulation will allow shipment of U.S. fresh potatoes into Mexican municipalities with a population above 100,000.
Previously U.S. fresh potatoes were limited to shipment within 26 kilometers of the U.S.-Mexico boarder.
Shipments into Mexico could begin 60 days following publication of the accord in the Mexico’s Federal Register.
The National Potato Council and the United States Potato Board issued this joint statement following the publication of the final regulations.
The U.S. potato industry and our partners at USDA and the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative are pleased to learn that the Mexican government has issued its final rule designed to achieve the bilateral goal of expanding trade in fresh potatoes between our two countries. Publishing the final rule is an important step in the parallel regulatory efforts taking place on both sides of the border. USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has indicated it will publish its final rule in the Federal Register next week. The final regulations issued by Mexico provide the structure for trade in potatoes between all countries and Mexico. A specific protocol agreed to by the U.S. and Mexico will govern the specifics of potato trade between the countries.”
During the next several weeks APHIS will identify particular shipping and labeling requirements for U.S. potatoes being shipped to Mexico.
Watch for further updates on Spudman.com.
Mexico’s final regulation, written in Spanish, is available here.
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