The State of Chihuahua's Union of Fruit Growers denounced before the National Service of Health, Safety and Quality (Senasica) and to the Service of Tax Administration's (SAT) Department of Customs, the smuggling of 200 tons of American apples, of the Golden Delicious variety, that were detected in Guadalajara's Supply Center.
According to the president of Unifrut, Elier Homero García Domínguez, the American fruit entered the national territory through Tijuana's border customs earlier this month and that it is totally illegal, because this harvest corresponds to the current one, and the law establishes that all imported fruit must undergo rigorous phytosanitary measures, such as forcible quarantine cooling storage.
"We are asking both Senasica and the Customs to do an investigation and clear all doubt, and above all, to not allow apples to enter because it puts national production at risk," he said, hinting that there was an act of corruption at customs.
The 200 tons of golden apples that illegally entered Baja California in 10 full trailers, and presumed to be from the present harvest, was already on sale (on shelves) of the Mercado de Abastos de Guadalajara.
In that sense he considered that it is not logical for it to be in the market since there is an agreement regarding International Trade where the apple must remain at least 40 days in refrigeration. In addition the gala apple harvest began the 15 of September, or only a few days before.
With that considerable amount of apples, the risks that the fruit can bring pests increases, which would carry a significant economic damage.
García Domínguez, said that Unifrut personnel have photographs that were annexed, as well as relevant official documentation to demand a prompt response from the federal government.
He mentioned that there is an agent on the part of the organization reviewing Customs' import requests, and did not find any for this apple, so when reviewing the borders and these not being registered they are presumed to have entered as contraband.
Source: elheraldodechihuahua.com.mx