Donald Trump Frets About Stopping Beef Imports

President Donald Trump suggested last Tuesday that the US should consider stopping beef imports from other countries, including Mexico. Ranchers in the US are suffering as slaughterhouses and processing facilities have been forced to shut due to COVID-19 outbreaks. Mexican beef exporters have seen volumes rise as US demand grows.

A MORENA Deputy who presides over the agricultural commission in Congress stated this week that the agricultural sector is facing a budget cut of MX$4 billion (US$173.9 million). This could have implications for government-run support schemes for small to medium sized farmers.

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COVID-19

SADER, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the Interamerican Institute for Cooperation in Agriculture, held a second meeting to analyze measures to improve trade in agricultural products in Latin America and the Caribbean, with consideration for necessary health measures.

Beer production will restart nationwide in June. In Mexico City, beer production will be allowed from June 1 onward.

This Tuesday, at a White House event where the Congress-approved US$19 billion relief for the agriculture sector was discussed, President Donald Trump stated that the US should consider ending trade deals under which it imports livestock. The suggestion comes as US ranchers have been struggling due to COVID-19 shutting down processing plants and slaughterhouses.

Consumption of Mexican beef has risen considerably in the US as a result of the COVID-19-caused disruption in US domestic supply chains. US ranchers are reportedly not pleased with the situation.

Other Government Related News

SADER has activated the strategy #MiParcelaNoSeQuema with the objective to reduce agricultural fires and provide more sustainable options in the field. The strategy is being implemented with other institutions in several states during the period of planting preparation.

SADER’s subsidy schemes, such as Sembrando Vida and Production for Well-Being, are expected to reach 14 million people in the country this year, states Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Víctor Villalobos.

The Mexican agency for Food Security (SEGALMEX) has announced locations of seed bean loan centers for small and medium sized producers affected by droughts.

SADER has recognized Taxco, Guerrero, as a zone free of avocado pests. This allows producers to expand their markets and increase their income.

Progress in the Production for Well-Being program was announced this week, with a 61 percent achievement of number of beneficiaries reached.

During a virtual meeting of the Commission for Rural Development, Conservation, Agriculture and Food Self-Sufficiency, its president Eraclio Rodríguez Gómez stated that the agro-sector is facing a budget cut of MX$4 billion (US$173.9 million). He specified that MX$2.5 billion (US$108.7 million) had already been allocated to the Rural Finance Agency to manage risks and prices, while another MX$1.5 billion (US$65.2 million) will go to the Program for the Promotion of Agriculture, Fishing and Livestock.

The National Commission for Aquaculture and Fishery (CONAPESCA) has renewed permits for cannonball medusa use in the Upper Gulf of California.

Science & Technology

COLPOS and Universidad Autónoma del Estado de México have signed an agreement of collaboration to promote more training and research in the agricultural sector.

The Society of Analytics INFORMS, Kinaxis and Adelphi University in the US have awarded the MasAgro program, a collaboration between SADER and the International Center for Maize and Wheat Improvement (CIMMYT), first place in the 2020 Price of Innovative Applications in Analytics. The program has used data analytics to improve corn farming management.