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Mexico refuses Central Coast strawberries
A small pest delivered a hefty blow to Central Coast strawberry growers Wednesday, as growers learned of the Mexican government's decision to refuse all crops that are planted, refrigerated or packed within a 1.9-mile radius of a reported light brown apple moth. If the ban stays in effect through this year's strawberry season, it could cost county growers about $1.9 million in lost revenue, according to local estimates. Virtually no Santa Cruz County strawberries, by far the county's largest crop, would be allowed across the border.
The news comes just three weeks before strawberry season ramps up. If the issue is not resolved before then, "it would be disastrous", said Rebecca Bozarth, who grows strawberries for Valley Fresh Produce of Watsonville. "The whole season is in front of us, and we have a lot at stake." The issues arose Wednesday as, upon closer examination, agricultural officials realized the new monitoring rules issued by Mexico last week would be impossible to meet. As a result, all crops must meet the 1.9-mile rule.
"It was a surprise to everyone," said Monterey County Assistant Agricultural Commissioner Bob Roach. Almost all crops in the neighboring county are banned from Mexico as well. Some growers questioned the real reason for the outright ban, as the moth is not known to reside on red berries. Carrots also are stopped at the border, even though the moth eats leaves, not roots. Tom AmRhein, who grows strawberries in south Santa Cruz and north Monterey counties, said the Mexican government might have imposed the moth quarantine as a bargaining chip in a completely different game, like border control or trade negotiations.
"For all we know, there's something going on at the State Department that we don't even know about", AmRhein said. In the meantime, though, Monterey County is grappling with restrictions on lettuce and potatoes, and Santa Cruz County growers are particularly worried about strawberries. Their total value exceeded $154 million in 2006, the last year for which figures are available. The county's next largest crop, raspberries, were valued at $83.7 million. Strawberry growers could take a $1.9 million hit if Mexico does not reopen the border this year, said county Agricultural Commissioner Ken Corbishley. The toll on other berry growers would be less significant, about $70,000.
The California Strawberry Commission in Watsonville downplayed the effect of the restrictions Wednesday, and discouraged any idea of a glut on the U.S. strawberry market as Central Coast berries stay closer to home. "We're just letting our industry know that this regulation did come about last week, and hopefully the [U.S. Department of Agriculture] will be able to work this out in a reasonable manner", said spokeswoman Mary DeGroat. However, DeGroat said the commission does not have an idea of when the restrictions might be lifted, or if it will be before or after strawberry season is finished.
Source: santacruzsentinel.com
A small pest delivered a hefty blow to Central Coast strawberry growers Wednesday, as growers learned of the Mexican government's decision to refuse all crops that are planted, refrigerated or packed within a 1.9-mile radius of a reported light brown apple moth. If the ban stays in effect through this year's strawberry season, it could cost county growers about $1.9 million in lost revenue, according to local estimates. Virtually no Santa Cruz County strawberries, by far the county's largest crop, would be allowed across the border.
The news comes just three weeks before strawberry season ramps up. If the issue is not resolved before then, "it would be disastrous", said Rebecca Bozarth, who grows strawberries for Valley Fresh Produce of Watsonville. "The whole season is in front of us, and we have a lot at stake." The issues arose Wednesday as, upon closer examination, agricultural officials realized the new monitoring rules issued by Mexico last week would be impossible to meet. As a result, all crops must meet the 1.9-mile rule.
"It was a surprise to everyone," said Monterey County Assistant Agricultural Commissioner Bob Roach. Almost all crops in the neighboring county are banned from Mexico as well. Some growers questioned the real reason for the outright ban, as the moth is not known to reside on red berries. Carrots also are stopped at the border, even though the moth eats leaves, not roots. Tom AmRhein, who grows strawberries in south Santa Cruz and north Monterey counties, said the Mexican government might have imposed the moth quarantine as a bargaining chip in a completely different game, like border control or trade negotiations.
"For all we know, there's something going on at the State Department that we don't even know about", AmRhein said. In the meantime, though, Monterey County is grappling with restrictions on lettuce and potatoes, and Santa Cruz County growers are particularly worried about strawberries. Their total value exceeded $154 million in 2006, the last year for which figures are available. The county's next largest crop, raspberries, were valued at $83.7 million. Strawberry growers could take a $1.9 million hit if Mexico does not reopen the border this year, said county Agricultural Commissioner Ken Corbishley. The toll on other berry growers would be less significant, about $70,000.
The California Strawberry Commission in Watsonville downplayed the effect of the restrictions Wednesday, and discouraged any idea of a glut on the U.S. strawberry market as Central Coast berries stay closer to home. "We're just letting our industry know that this regulation did come about last week, and hopefully the [U.S. Department of Agriculture] will be able to work this out in a reasonable manner", said spokeswoman Mary DeGroat. However, DeGroat said the commission does not have an idea of when the restrictions might be lifted, or if it will be before or after strawberry season is finished.
Source: santacruzsentinel.com
Publication date: 3/26/2008
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