UGREJ Warns for Sanitary Risks in Food Imports

The Regional Livestock Union of the State of Jalisco (UGREJ) warned that tariff exemptions imposed by the federal government as part of the Inflation and Famine Package (PACIC) could risk the national production of animal-derived products such as pork, beef, chicken, milk and eggs.

Adalberto Velasco, President, UGREJ, explained that opening borders to foreign products to ensure sufficient food for Mexican households is a good measure, as long as imports remain under strict surveillance. The monitoring of health protocols to prevent pests and diseases that have already been eradicated in Mexico is especially important. "We want the government to ensure that these products coming from other countries, in time, will not generate health issues for livestock and agriculture," he said in an interview with El Economista.

In addition, Velasco pointed out that the government should support and encourage national agricultural production, which has been substantially reduced in the past years.

Regarding meat imports, the Mexican market is expected to reopen for beef imports from Argentina before the end of the year. Meat from Argentina was banned back in 2001 due to an outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease. 

During the visit of Argentinian President Alberto Fernández to Mexico last year, President López Obrador agreed to reopen the national market to boneless meat from the South American country, following the necessary processes to ensure the health and safety of the product. However, to date, permits are still being processed. 

Researchers consulted by Animal Político explained that imports of Argentinean meat are not safe since they could not conclude that the risk of foot-and-mouth disease entering Mexico has not been eliminated. In Argentina, the outbreak of the disease has been controlled, but cattle are still vaccinated to avoid contagion. 

Carlos Anaya, Director General, Agricultural Markets Advisory Group, said that despite the universal license granted by PACIC, the accreditation process for Argentine beef must be concluded, otherwise the livestock sector will be put at risk. "We risk getting a disease that was eradicated in Mexico more than 20 years ago," said Anaya. 

Gilberto Aranda, Researching Professor, the Department of Zootechnics of the Autonomous University of Chapingo, argues that even though imports help safeguard Mexico’s food supply, they must be regulated. "The country has fought hard to maintain its positive health status. In this process, it has eradicated foot-and-mouth disease, suffering great losses, also through avian influenza and swine flu. Freeing imports of a regulatory framework jeopardizes the public health and production chains,” stressed Aranda. He also highlighted that in the case of an outbreak of diseases in livestock, exports would be compromised.