Washington, D.C. (AgNews890.com) – US Senator John Hoeven issued a statement today urging the USDA to expedite exports of fresh potato’s to Mexico. Senator Hoeven and other Senators in a letter asked the U.S. Department of Agriculture to help ensure its counter agency in Mexico honors the country’s trade deal with the U.S. and expedites the restoration of fresh potato exports to Mexico.

Here’s a portion of the statement from Senator Hoeven’s office:

The letter comes in response to USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) accepting new demands by the Mexican government that will significantly delay and limit U.S. potato exports to Mexico in 2022. APHIS’s decision was made despite a Mexican Supreme Court ruling in favor of U.S. potato producers, as well as the completion of successful site visits made by Mexican authorities to U.S. potato plants in Colorado. 

“Given that Mexico appears to be continuing to avoid its responsibilities to restore this access, we request that APHIS explain its decision-making process to agree to these unscientific and inconsistent demands,” wrote the members of Congress. “The U.S. continues to honor our side of this trade deal, and it is imperative USDA ensure that Mexico do the same.”