Overview

• The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) has decided to hand over pest inspections of Mexican avocados to the Mexican government.
• California avocado growers are worried about the reversal of the established inspection process, which they believe has protected the industry from invasive pests.
• US inspectors have faced threats and violence in Mexico, leading to previous suspensions of the inspection process.
• The USDA has not provided detailed reasons for the decision or assurances that the new system will offer equal or better protection.
• Mexico claims there have been no sanitary issues in over 27 years, but incidents in 2022 and June 2024 suggest ongoing risks.