Mexico Safeguards Agriculture Against Invasive Pests, Diseases

In 2023, Mexico turned away 1,463 commercial shipments comprising over 263,000t of risky agricultural products. This action prevented the entry of 258 quarantine-worthy pests, safeguarding Mexico's food production, as highlighted by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (SADER). The ministry emphasized that these measures are part of the ongoing efforts conducted in 90 Agricultural Health Inspection Offices (OISA) located at seaports, airports, and borders. Their aim is to minimize the risk of pests and exotic diseases infiltrating the national territory.

According to SADER, 58% of the rejected goods were of animal origin, 40% plant-based, and 2% aquatic. Poultry meat and offal were the most rejected products, accounting for 11%, followed by live horses at 10%, pork at 9%, grapes at 6%, and animal feed and supplements at 4%. Most rejections, constituting 64%, occurred at the OISAs in Reynosa, Tamaulipas, intercepting 247 shipments, followed by Nuevo Laredo, Tamaulipas, with 196 shipments; Manzanillo, Colima, with 183; Mexico City International Airport, with 174; and Mexicali, Baja California, with 143.

Technical experts from the National Service of Health, Safety, and Agri-food Quality (SENASICA) sent samples of rejected goods to official and approved laboratories. These labs confirmed the presence of 258 quarantine-worthy pests, prompting action to destroy, condition, or return the pests to their country of origin. This approach aims to preserve Mexico's phytosanitary and zoosanitary status, benefiting both the primary sector and consumers.

Among the detected pests were fruit flies like Anastrepha obliqua, Anastrepha striata, and Anastrepha ludens; weeds such as Pennisetum pedicellatum, Polygonum convolvulus, Galium spurium, Galeopsis tetrahit, Acanthospermum hispidum, and Matricaria inodora; as well as nematodes like Meloidogyne chitwoodi. Particularly notable was the interception of the Khapra beetle, known globally for its devastating impact on grains and seeds. SENASICA agents found five specimens of this pest in shipments from Uganda, Canada, Uruguay, China, and Nicaragua, arriving at Manzanillo and Veracruz.

SADER emphasized that preventive actions protect Mexico's agri-food heritage, enabling farmers and ranchers to be more productive and competitive. “This maintenance of sanitary standards allows them to export products to over 160 countries, providing Mexican consumers with greater confidence in the safety of their food supply,” the ministry emphasized. 

According to the International Corn and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT), along with increased global trade, climate change represents a major factor driving the spread of pests and diseases in agriculture across the world. According to specialists, temperature and rainfall are the main drivers of shifts in the spread of pests and diseases. Tek Sapkota, Agricultural Scientist, CIMMYT explained that rising temperatures and precipitation levels favor the growth and distribution of most pest species by providing a warm and humid environment and necessary moisture for their growth.

FAO data shows that up to 40% of the world's agricultural production is lost each year due to pests, costing around US$220 billion in agricultural products. In this regard, the organization urges countries to invest in plant protection to address the challenges exacerbating food insecurity. "Public servants and the scientific community must take into account the needs of small farmers. This means understanding the risks faced by these groups and understanding what kind of technology and techniques are suitable for them," highlighted Juan Carlos García, Former Senior Officer of the Right to Food Team, FAO.