Mexican officials have blocked the agreement that allows the export and import of U.S. potatoes just weeks after the country opened its market on May 19th. Mark Szymanski, Spokesman for the National Potato Council, confirmed the news this morning.
The Mexico Potato Growers Association, otherwise known as Conpapa, has filed a lawsuit against Mexico’s Ministry of Agriculture to put a halt to all exports and imports of U.S. potatoes into the country, said Szymanski.
Although there’s little information on claims being made and when the filing will be taken up by courts, it is known that the U.S. Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has stopped issuing phytosanitary approvals until border points are re-opened.
“Currently, we’re working well with APHIS and the USDA on understanding the situation,” Szymanski tells AndNowUKnow. “We always knew there would be bumps along the road with new markets.”
It is still unknown how long the ban is expected to last.
Stay tuned to AndNowUKnow as more information becomes available.
