Urgent Call to Action From California Avocado Commission

Posted by Growing Produce Staff|September 27, 2024

A major ripple went through the California avocado industry a few weeks ago when the unilateral decision was made by USDA to no longer use its APHIS inspectors in Mexico to conduct pest inspection of avocado orchards. Instead, the government agency would rely on inspectors employed by Mexico’s Agriculture and Rural Development Ministry.

The California Avocado Commission (CAC) is vehemently opposed to the decision. The association wrote and sent a letter to USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack expressing its opposition on behalf of the local avocado industry. Click here to read the letter in its entirety.

The association is strongly encouraging all growers do the same and copy their members of Congress. A portion of the industry alert deployed by the California Avocado Commission reads as follows: “You are welcome to restate and expand on comments in the CAC letter and encouraged to focus on the jeopardy that USDA has created for your farm.”

For more information, visit californiaavocadogrowers.com.