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| Horticultural & Tropical Products Division | Return to the H&TP Home Page |
August 31, 2001
Mexico and the United States Continue Dialog on Protocol for U.S. Potato Access
On August 15, Mexico officially closed the border to U.S. table stock potato exports citing alleged nematode detections. As a result of technical discussions with APHIS, SAGAR reopened the border to the select few U.S. states still eligible to export table stock potatoes to Mexico. APHIS and SAGAR are still negotiating a protocol. APHIS is seeking a systems approach which would include surveys and documentation demonstrating production area freedom, washing, treatment with sprout inhibitor, phytosanitary inspection at point of origin, and sealing of conveyances. The August 28, APHIS proposal provides new phytosanitary assurances for Mexico, while at the same time offering new opportunities for previously banned states to qualify to export. U.S. potato exports fell from approximately $21 million in 1999 to less than $16 million in 2000.
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