Two years after this Mexican lemon was granted the collective mark "Michoacan Lemon, Protected Designation of Origin" by Siprolimex, the label is still unauthorised for use because producers fail to meet certain requirements. Due to this, the state of Michoacan continues "pirating" 60% of the production harvested in Tierra Caliente, labelling it as produce from the neighbouring state.
The collective mark "Michoacan Lemon" would give a boost to 25 associations of lemon producers and 45 packing plants from the towns of Apatzingán, Parácuaro, Aguililla, Múgica, Buenavista, La Huacana and Tepalcatepec; however, due to a lack of organization, the great majority of producers have not improved their practices at any stage, whether in production, picking, transport, packing or commercialization.
Abel Aguilar, Siprolimex's Treasurer, highlighted that "for Michoacan lemons to be able to use their label, producers must meet a series of requirements, particularly good agricultural practices. It involves the whole chain of production, from labourers to buyers."
A Siprolimex representative specified that producers must radically change their ways; to start with, he said, "all the labourers must be well-organised. They must be arranged in groups of male and female pickers, using uniforms and gloves, as well as cutting tools, and fruit must be stored safely. Transport and cutting must also improve," he explained.
Additionally, he reminded that producers should make improvements in lemon orchards, build toilets, stop using pesticides that harm the environment and turn to organic farming. "We require clean and safe handling of the produce, which unfortunately lemon producers are not doing," pointed out Abel Aguilar.
Source: LA VOZ DE MICHOACÁN