Jun 26, 2023Mexican ag officials visit Colorado for potato site audit
Colorado’s San Luis Valley played host to a potato site audit for five senior plant health officials from the National Service for Agrifood Health, Safety and Quality (SENASICA) of Mexico last week.
The visit to the Allied Potato site fulfilled of a requirement of the 2022 agreement opening the Mexican market to U.S. fresh potato exports. The SENASICA officials joined USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service and U.S. potato industry representatives in visiting potato fields and four potato sheds that regularly ship to Mexico.
The Mexican officials also spoke to U.S. growers and shippers about how they comply with requirements involving issues such as packaging, growing practices, and pest management. Shipping records were also reviewed.
“We welcomed this opportunity to demonstrate the serious efforts the U.S. potato industry is undertaking to make the program a success,” Ted Tschirky, National Potato Council vice president of trade affairs, said in a news release. “We look forward to continuing to build relationships with Mexican customers and consumers as we send nutritious, high quality U.S. fresh potatoes to this growing market.”
