Mexico Pressures Apple Growers

Washington apple sales to Mexico could be at stake as state and federal officials struggle to fulfill a promise made to the Mexican government months ago.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture had agreed to place permanent supervisors for pest inspections on shipments to Mexico.

But the steps USDA has taken to replace the Mexican officials who have overseen inspections for the past six yeas have not satisfied Mexican agriculture authorities. And, according to the State Department of agriculture, the trade agreement with Mexico may be in jeopardy.

Gov. Gary Locke’s call for help to Washington, D.C., was not answered by Thursday afternoon. He sent letters to the state’s congressional delegation and to the USDA asking for immediate action to meet Mexico’s demands.

Mexico is the state’s biggest customer for apples. Through February, Washington growers had shipped more than 1.8 million cartons to Mexico for this season.

The industry is currently at its peak shipping period, sending 200 trucks a week to Mexico.

But part of the trade agreement provided that federal Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service employees take up the role of culling and testing the fruit at a cost of at least $170,000 a year, Locke wrote to the USDA.

A letter from the Mexican inspection program said it appeared the USDA didn’t have the interest or ability to take over the program. Mexico’s coordinator, Baldemar Ruiz, declined comment.

“For six years we’ve had a pest inspection program with Mexican oversight,” said Jim Jessernig, director of the Washington state Department of Agriculture. The inspectors screen for six pests of quarantine significance, including the coddling moth. But the most recent apple shipments have been clean, Jessernig said.

Still, Mexico’s government can stop imports if the U.S. doesn’t meet its oversight obligations.

“We cannot withstand a major hit like this,” Jessernig said. “We don’t want to get into a full-scale border problem over $170,000.”

The Washington Apple Commission is more hopeful a solution can be reached.

“There has been no indication from the Mexicans that this is going to result in a close-down of inspection activity,” said Rebecca Baerveldt-Macias of the apple commission. “We want to make sure that the market remains open.”