The Arizona Department of Agriculture has suspended fresh produce inspection and grading duties by its agents in Mexico due to safety concerns, according to a report by The Packer.
As of 1 November, inspections are being carried out on the US side of the border, which translates into a 200 per cent increase in workload.
Until resolved, the move is expected to result in delays to Mexican produce crossing the US border just as the Mexican winter vegetable deal gets underway, the publication said.
Lance Jungmeyer, president of the Fresh Produce Association of the Americas, said the inspection and grading duties have been subcontracted the Arizona agriculture department by the USDA for decades.
“FPAA is negotiating with the ag department,” Mr Jungmeyer said. “We’ve enjoyed a great relationship and want to keep that going.”
According to Mr Jungmeyer, importers may have to organise warehouse space in the US – much of which is in need of an overhaul to meet current standards, especially for temperature-sensitive goods.
Last season, Arizona agriculture inspectors examined a total of 31,000 lots of produce with about 20,000 of those being conducted in Nogales, Sonora, Mr Jungmeyer said.
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