Washington, D.C., Denver, Colo. – The following joint statement is from the National Potato Council (NPC) and the United States Potato Board (USPB) on the final regulations published today by the Mexican government in the Diaro Oficial de la Federacion regarding the importation of U.S. fresh potatoes:
"The U.S. potato industry and our partners at USDA and the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) are pleased to learn that the Mexican government has issued its final rule designed to achieve the bilateral goal of expanding trade in fresh potatoes between our two countries. Publishing the final rule is an important step in the parallel regulatory efforts taking place on both sides of the border. USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has indicated it will publish its final rule in the Federal Register next week. The final regulations issued by Mexico provide the structure for trade in potatoes between all countries and Mexico. A specific protocol agreed to by the U.S. and Mexico will govern the specifics of potato trade between the countries.
Over the next several weeks APHIS will identify the particular shipping and labeling requirements for U.S. potatoes being shipped to Mexico. Shipments of potatoes between the two countries should begin before June.
In September 2012, the Mexican government began its rulemaking process to establish a protocol to allow the expansion U.S. fresh potato trade with Mexico. The U.S. potato industry applauds the successful conclusion of the parallel rulemaking processes, which will benefit consumers and potato growers on both sides of the border."
The original regulation is available at http://www.dof.gob.mx/nota_detalle.php?codigo=5337533&fecha=19/03/2014 and a translated version is available at http://nationalpotatocouncil.org/files/3813/9531/6659/031914.COFEMER.pdf
The National Potato Council is the advocate for the economic well-being of US potato growers on federal legislative, regulatory, environmental, and trade issues. NPC supports the US potato industry by monitoring issues affecting the strength and viability of the potato industry, influencing regulators and legislators on issues crucial to the industry's long term success, ensuring fair market access for potatoes and potato products, and bringing the unique issues and interests of diverse growing regions in the US together on a national level.
The mission of the United States Potato Board is to increase demand for potatoes and potato products through an integrated promotion program, thereby providing US producers with expanding markets for their production. For complete information about the programs, ROI results, resources and tools available to all members of the industry through the USPB, please visit www.uspotatoes.com. The United States Potato Board—"Maximizing Return on Grower Investment."
Source: National Potato Council & United States Potato Board
