US Stops Receiving Michoacan’s Mango, Avocado

This week, Michoacan's mango and avocado exports have been paused following a threatening call to a US officer. Scientists shared how the world should be handling plastics to reduce ocean waste and prevent further damage to the environment. Finally, the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) recognized Mexico’s efforts to fight mad cow disease. 

Interested in more? Here are the week’s major headlines in Agribusiness & Food!

US Suspends of Avocado Shipments

The US health authorities paused pending shipments of avocado from Mexico after an officer carrying out inspections in Uruapan, Michoacan, received a threatening call on his official cell phone, according to   the National Service for Agrifood Health, Safety and Quality (SENASICA). This pause could greatly impact the sector, economy and the over 300,000 jobs that depend on these exports. 

US Markets Stop Receiving Michoacan’s Mango

After the pause in avocado exports, the US announced it would also stop receiving Michoacan’s mango. At the moment, it is not known how long the US markets will be closed to but the US Department of Security and the embassy have suspended USDA services in Michoacan. The US is still providing certification services for mangoes from Oaxaca and Chiapas.

Eleven Million tons of Plastic are Discarded Every Year

The world is dumping nearly 11 million tons of plastic into the oceans each year, a crisis that cannot be addressed by simple recycling, said, scientists. The UN Environment Program (UNEP) encouraged governments and other stakeholders to commit to ambitious national actions to create a circular economy for plastic so these never become waste, eliminating the pollution they cause especially in oceans. If decisive actions are not taken immediately, solid plastic waste will double and ocean plastic stocks will quadruple, warned UNEP. 

Mexico’s Preventive Work Against Mad Cow Disease is Recognized

The OIE recognized ‘s efforts to prevent the spread of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE), also known as mad cow disease. SENASICA has committed to continue promoting certification in good manufacturing practices and inspecting production plants and food factories to maintain the country’s sanitary status.