California avocado growers are expressing concerns about potential pest infiltration following the cessation of a Clinton-era inspection protocol. The Biden administration's decision in September 2024 to halt the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) inspections in Mexico has raised alarms. The inspections aimed to prevent pest-laden avocados from entering the U.S., but recent threats and assaults on inspectors led to the program's suspension.
Ken Melban of the California Avocado Commission highlighted the growers' worries, stating, "Our growers are working hard to maintain a business, to drive their economic engine, to provide for their families, to support the economies around them. And they shouldn't have to face a pest, no fault of their own, just because our government in the past was afraid to stand up to the cartel."
Mexico now holds the responsibility to ensure that exported avocados are pest-free. The country is tasked with preventing harmful pests such as seed and stem weevils and seed moths, known for their crop-damaging potential. The decision to end the inspection program has raised concerns about the effectiveness and integrity of the current system.
Despite the policy shift, the USDA maintains that APHIS continues to inspect fruit at the border. A spokesperson stated, "USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) understands the vital importance of the avocado industry to the State of California and recognizes the concerns raised by residents."
California's avocado industry, with around 3,000 growers, generates $1.5 billion annually. The potential introduction of pests due to inadequate inspections could impact this sector. Melban noted, "We farm on about 50,000 acres, representing about 3,000 farmers. That's just an average of 17 acres per farmer. So we are a small-scale industry by and large."
Legislators, including Republican California Rep. Darrell Issa, have also voiced concerns, citing an increase in detected weevils and a breakdown in the inspection process. The situation underscores the ongoing challenges faced by the California avocado industry in safeguarding against pest threats.
Source: Fox News