U.S., Mexico Have Agreement on Potatoes

May 20, 2002

In an announcement meant to strengthen trade relations, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Ann M. Veneman and Mexican Secretary of Agriculture, Livestock, Rural Development, Fisheries and Food Javier Usabiaga have announced an agreement in principal on a protocol that would reopen U.S. table stock potato exports to Mexico. As part of the agreement, USDA will complete a risk analysis in June for a proposed rule to allow Mexico mini tuber potatoes into the United States.

The negotiated protocol addresses several measures, including the application of sprout inhibitor, sealing of trucks at origin and tracing potato shipments, to address Mexico's phytosanitary concerns about nematodes and viruses. The Mexican potato market is valued at $30 million annually to the United States.

This agreement comes one month after the two secretaries signed a memorandum of understanding establishing a Consultative Committee on Agriculture to better address trade issues and resolve disputes. The committee's primary purpose is to work together on NAFTA implementation, sanitary and phytosanitary issues, cross-border partnerships on animal health and food safety, and biotechnology and research cooperation. Last month, as a result of those meetings, agreement was reached to allow California stone fruit exports to Mexico during the 2002 shipping season.